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Silver Lining 



THE 



Silver Lining 


BY F. S. A., 

AUTHOR OP 



ELSIE BAILEY,^ » THE CONQUERORS ETC. 


WRITTEN FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS SABBATH SCHOOL SOCIETY, 
AND APPROVED BY THE COMMITTEE OF PUBUCATION. 




*\i :tf Ca/j 




l'' : i 

iooi 


of 

BOSTON: 

MASSACHUSETTS SABBATH SCHOOL SOCIETY, 

DEPOsnoRY, No. 13 Cornhill. 

/8 

/ • 


t 


/ 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, by 
M. H. SAEGENT, Tkeas. Mass. Sab. School Soo. 

In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court for the District of Massa* 

ehusetts. 


OOI^TEE'TS 


PAGE 

1. Children’s Wishes, 6 

II. The Worth of a Sunbeam, . . 19 

III. Coming to Christ, 39 

IV. Faithful in Little, ..... 57 

V. Falling into Temptation, . < . . 83 

VI. Uses of Trial, . . . * . . . 102 


VII. Doing Good, 120 

VIII. Forgiveness, . . . ' . . , 147 

IX. Surprises, 169 


X. Self-Confidence, 188 

XI. Human Weakness, 209 


XII. Contrasts, 228 

XIII. Prosperity, • • • • < . . 245 


XIV. Influence, « 262 

XV. Still Shining, 284 

XVI. Conclusion, . 


300 



■I 



The Silvee LiHina. 


CHAPTER 1. 
children’s wishes. 

“ Half the ills we hoard within our hearts 
Are ills because we hoard them.” 

— Cornwall. 

HAT is the matter, Philip — of 
what are you thinking?” 

“ Nothing, Nannie ; go away, 

child.” 

The little girl did as her brother bade 
her, although she looked far from satisfied 
at his reply; but Fido saw best to try his 
young master also, for, going to him, the 
dog rubbed his nose, again and again, upon 

( 5 ) 



6 


THE SILVER LINING. 


Philip’s hand, sure of his usual recognition. 
But Philip was absorbed in thought, so, 
after a few minutes more, Fido turned to- 
wards Nannie, who, patting him very af- 
fectionately, said, — 

“ I would not care, Fido ; Philip is 
cross, and does not care for either of us.” 

Which remark was in part true ; the 
boy was a little cross ; for the world, just 
then, was wearing a sombre hue to him. 
He wanted what he could not have; it 
was only a small thing, to be sure, but as 
real a deprivation to him as greater matters 
to older people. But as he heard the outer 
door shut, he started, and finding that his 
companions had left him alone, he said aloud, 

“ I wonder if what Mr. Bradlee read 
this morning, in school, is true — ‘A good 
name is better than riches.’ I should like 


children’s wishes. 


7 


the good name^ but I think, of the two, 
the riches would be the better, for rich” 
people are always in favor. But if a boy 
is poor, he might as well be out of the 
world.” 

Glancing at the clock, the boy saw he 
must be going out, and he was upon the 
point of scolding, because his little sister 
was not on hand to guard the house in 
his absence, when she appeared in the door- 
way. She had two apples in her hand, 
and tossing one into her brother’s cap, as 
it lay upon the floor, she asked him, — 

“ Guess who gave them to me, Philip ? ” 

“ I cannot, Nannie ; who was it ? ” 

“ The old gentleman who has the gold- 
headed cane. I wish I knew his name. He 
said they were to pay me for the sermons 
I had preached to him. I never have 


8 


THE SILVER LINING. 


spoken to him, until to-day ; so what could 
he mean, Philip ? ’^ 

“ I do not know, I am sure ; but this 
is a real good apple, anyhow ; I must go 
now, or I shall be late at Mrs. Mayo’s. 
Good-by.” 

Philip was off; so Nannie seated herself 
by the window, where she could see the 
few people who went through the street ; 
and, as she ate the rosy-cheeked apple, won- 
dered again what the gentleman could 
mean. How she, a little lame girl, could 
preach a sermon, was a great mystery to 
her. She finally concluded that perhaps 
her mother could tell, when she came home 
from Boston. 

When the apple was all eaten, the child 
took up her knitting, and had knit round 
her stocking, ten times ; when the door of 


children’s wishes. 


9 


tlieir room opened, and two boys, friends 
of her brother, came in. The eldest of 
them, Ralph Fisher, asked Ijer, — 

‘‘ Where has Philip gone, Nannie, and 
when will he be at home?” 

“ Down to Mrs. Mayo’s, and I do not 
know when he will come; it will depend 
upon how much she has for him to do.” 

‘‘Well, is he going to ride on Friday?” 

“ Where ? ” 

“ Why, with all the school children do 
you not know about it?” 

As Nannie shook her head, the boy went 
on to say : “A week ago, Mr. Bradlee 
told all the scholars, that those who would 
bring him twenty-five cents, could take a 
sleigh-ride with him. I have my money, 
father gave it to me this noon, — and Henry 
has his, too. Do you not think Philip 
will go?” 


10 


THE SILVER LINING. 


“ I do not know,” replied Nannie ; “ I 
wish he could ; but it takes all our money 
to buy our clothes and food, and I am 
afraid mother cannot spare any of it.” 

“ But it is such a little sum,” said 
Henry. “ A quarter of a dollar would not 
buy much. You tell Philip to be sure 
and go.” 

“Yes,” said Nannie, “I will tell him 
that you came.” 

She guessed now what had made Philip 
so sober; and she was all ready to excuse 
and pity him, for being, as she had said, 
cross. She wished she had the money to 
give him, but her money-box was nearly 
empty ; there were only five cents in it, 
for she had looked that very morning. 
She was still thinking, when she heard her 
mother’s step, as she came up to the door. 


CHILDREN S WISHES. 


11 


Nannie started to open it, but her mother 
was in the room before the child had time. 
She, however, took the bundles from her 
mother’s arms, and laying them on the 
table, asked her, — 

“ Have you had a good time, mother, and 
did you see father?’’ 

“ Oh, yes ; he longs to come home again ; 
he has every attention from the doctors 
and nurse but he wishes he could see the 
children. It was real hard to leave him 
in the hospital.” 

‘‘ I wish I could see him ; how soon will 
he be able to come home?” 

“ I do not know ; perhaps in a month, 
but probably not for two; has Philip gone 
to Mrs. Mayo’s ? ” 

“Yes, mother, he went an half hour 


12 


THE SILVER LINING. 


Before their supper was ready, Philip 
came in and Nannie noticed how sorrowful 
he looked, as she gave him the message 
the boys had left for him. 

“ I cannot go,” was his answer ; “ it is no 
use to ask mother anything about it ; she has 
not any money for such things.” 

Nannie did not look convinced, and as she 
was helping her mother, the child asked' 
her, — 

“ Mother, have you a quarter of a dollar 
to spare ? ” 

Mrs. Preston looked her astonishment at 
so unusual a request from Nannie, and asked, 
in return, “ What do you want it for ? ” j 

‘‘Not for myself, but for Philip; all the 
school children are going a sleigh-ride on 
Friday, but Philip cannot go unless he has 
twenty-five cents. I thought perhaps I 


children’s wishes. 


13 


could go without a new pair of mittens, if 
you would mend the old ones again.” 

“ They are past mending, Nannie ; and I 
do not think . it right for you to give up all 
the time to make Philip happy. If it were 
anything he needed, I would be willing ; but 
you must have the mittens, and he can go 
without the ride.” 

Nannie sighed as she replied, I wish we 
had all the money we wanted, — do not you, 
mother ? ” 

“ I almost wished so to-day, when I saw 
so many things in the store windows that I 
wanted to take to your father ; but I remem- 
bered that the Bible says, ‘ And having food 
and raiment, let us therewith be content.’ ” 

“ But that seems very little when I see so 
many children have all they want.” 

“ You do not often wish for what you have 
not, Nannie ; what has got into you ? ” 


14 


THE SILVER LINING. 


“ I do not know, mother ; only to-day 
when Ralph and Henry were here, and 
talked as if they could have all they wished, 
I wondered why it was that they had so 
many comforts, and we so few.” 

“If you had seen the little girl on the 
hospital steps, that I saw, you might perhaps 
have wondered why we had so many, and she 
so few.” 

“ Why, how did she look? ” 

“ She had neither shoes nor stockings, a 
very thin dress, which did not meet in front, 
for I could see that there were scarcely any 
garments underneath it. An old shawl was 
pinned over her head, and she had a basket 
of matches to sell. She was no older than 
you, Nannie, and my heart ached for her.” 

“ Did you speak to her ? ” 

“ Yes ; I suppose she saw that I pitied 


children’s wishes. 


15 


her, for she came to me, saying, ‘ Buy my 
matches, ma’am?’ I gave her five cents, 
for I could not find it in my heart to take 
the matches from her. Then I walked to 
the steam cars instead of riding, as I had ex- 
pected to do.” 

“ Poor little girl,” said Nannie ; “ do you 
suppose she has any mother ? ” 

“ I do not know, hut I hope so ; only I am 
afraid she is not a very good mother.” 

Philip had gone out while they were talk- 
ing, hut he entered soon again, saying, — 
Mrs. Mayo told me to-night she should 
not want me after this week. She* has a 
nephew coming to live there, who will do all 
her errands. I am very sorry.” 

“ So am I,” replied Mrs. Preston, “ Mrs. 
Mayo has been a very kind fi:iend to you ; 
perhaps you can get something else to do.” 


16 


THE SILVER LINING. 


“ I do not see what, though ; for all the 
places in the stores are filled. If we were 
not so poor, some one would help us.’’ 

“ I do not think we are so very poor, 
Phfiip.” 

“ Do you not ? W ell, I do, poor enough.” 

“ But we could be a great deal poorer,” 
replied his mother. 

“ I do not see how, mother.” 

“ If you had neither shelter, food, nor 
clothes, you would find out, my boy, from 
sad experience. Then wq have each other 
and your father. I thought when we re- 
ceived. the news of his accident, that God had 
been very good to us to spare your father’s 
life. Whenever I think of his dreadful fall, 
it makes me shudder ; he told me to-day that 
no human power preserved him from instant 
death. We have much to be grateful for.” 


children’s wishes. it 

Philip looked a little softened, as he saw 
the tears in the eyes of his mother and sis- 
ter, so, seating himself by the side of the lat- 
ter, he extended his hands to receive the 
skein of yarn she was preparing to wind. 
Nannie looked pleased as he did so, for she 
knew he did not like the employment ; but 
he was very patient to-night, while he asked 
question after question of his mother, con- 
cerning her visit to the city and his father. 

When the yarn was wound, Mrs. Preston 
said it was time for their verses. Always in 
their father’s absence from home, it had been 
their custom to repeat a verse from the Bible 
before retiring. The mother called upon 
Nannie first ; her selection showed where 
her thoughts had been, — 

“ The lines have fallen to me in pleasant 
places ; yea, I have a goodly heritage.” 


2 


18 


THE SILVER LINING. 


Then Philip followed with, — 

“ Oh, Lord, how manifold are thy works ! 
In wisdom hast thou made them all ; the 
earth is full of thy riches.^’ 

Mrs. Preston gave evidence of possessing 
the real Christian spirit ; for her verse was, — 
“ Commit thy way unto the Lord ; trust 
also in him, and he shall bring it to pass.’’ 

Then, in a simple prayer, she asked of her 
heavenly Father his protection through the 
night, and his direction and guidance for 
coming days and weeks. With unusual af- 
fection Philip kissed his mother and sister, 
•and retired to his little room for the night. 


CHAPTER 11. 

THE WORTH OF A SUNBEAM. 

“ When all is done and said, 

In th’ end thus shall you find: 

He most of all doth bathe in bliss 
That hath a quiet mind.” 

HE next morning, while the little 
family were at breakfast, some one 
tapped at the door. Philip opened 
the door, and Mrs. Morse entered the room. 

“I have come,” she said, addressing Mrs. 
Preston, “ to ask you to come up to my 
brother’s. The children are all sick, and 
Anne is worn out with the care of them and 
everything else. She said, last night, that, 

(19) 



20 


THE SILVER LINING. 


if you could come, slie would be willing to 
leave them with you, and that she would rest. 
So I told her I would come the first thing 
in the morning, to see if you could do so.’’ 

“ What is the matter with the children ? ’’ 

“ They all have had severe colds and 
coughs. John and Nellie had the croup 
night before last, besides. You can go, I 
hope ; Nannie will keep house, I think.” 

‘‘Yes,” said Nannie, repressing a little 
sigh at the thought of being left alone an- 
other day ; “ go, mother ; I can do without 
you.” 

“ That is a good child,” said Mrs. Morse. 
“ I knew you would say so ; and, here, I have 
brought you some pieces of hard gingerbread 
and a book to read. So you will not, after 
all, miss your mother so very much.” 

A book was a rare treat to Nannie ; and 


THE WORTH OF A SUNBEAM. 21 


an hour later, as she saw her mother, Mrs. 
Morse, and Philip drive off, Nannie was very 
willing, if not glad, to be left alone. Mrs. 
Preston had done all that was necessary to 
leave her house in good order, and the child 
expected her day would be a very quiet one. 
She reserved her book until after dinner, 
remembering that the afternoon always 
seemed to her longer when she was alone, 
than the forenoon. 

When the sun was high in the heavens, 
she put on all her outer clothing, and went 
outside the house. Fido lay there enjoying 
the warmth ; but as he saw Nannie, he 
rose, and walked up and down with her 
in front of the house. This was Nannie’s 
daily practice, whenever the weather would 
allow of it. Once or twice she went inside 
of the house, but was out again in a few mo- 


22 


THE SILVER LINING. 


merits. Now and then a neighbor stopped to 
speak to her, for all loved the little girl ; but 
no one had time to do more than ask a ques- 
tion and hear the answer before they were 
off again. 

She was standing, leaning on her crutch, 
when she heard a step, and looking up, she 
saw her friend, the old gentleman, close be- 
side her. He smiled, as he patted her head, 
and asked her, — 

“ What are you thinking of, my little 
girl ? ” 

“ Oh, sir, I was thinking how happy I 
was.” 

“ You were ? What makes you so ? ” 

“ Why, everything, sir. I have such a 
good home, and my mother is so kind, and 
everybody is so good to me.” 

“ What does everybody do for you ? ” 



Mr. Allen and Mannie. 

Silver Lining, p. 22. 


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t 9 





THE WOKTH OF A SUNBEAM. 23 


“ A great many things, sir. You know 
you gave me two apples yesterday.” 

“Sol did. What did you do with them ? ” 
“ One I ate myself, and the other I gave 
to Philip.” 

“ Who is Philip ? ” 

“ My brother I Do you not know him ? ” 
“ No, I think not. Is he as happy as you 
are ? ” 

Nannie looked a little perplexed, but soon 
answered : “Not always ; but then he is 
older than I am. He is not lame, either; 
and he is a boy, you know.” 

Her reasoning she seemed to think entirely 
satisfactory ; but the old gentleman evidently 
did not, for he asked again, — “ Are not boys 
generally as happy as girls ? ” 

“ I do not know, sir ; but Philip often 
wants what he cannot have, and mother 


24 


THE SILVER LINING. 


says that is not a good way. Do you think 
itis?” 

“ Perhaps not ; though I must confess it is 
my way. How can you help it ? ” 

“ Why, be contented with what you have. 
We can always think of enough people who 
have less than we, and my mother says the 
rich people have sorrows too, with their 
money.” 

“ Your mother must be a very wise wo- 
man, I think.” 

“ She is very wise : father says she knows 
more than any two other women.” 

Nannie’s companion thought she looked 
tired, and, as he wished to hear her talk still 
more, he asked her. if she could get him a 
little water to drink. She said “ Oh, yes,” 
and he followed her into a little room, spot- 
lessly neat and clean, and very plainly fur- 


THE WORTH OF A SUNBEAM. 25 


nislied. He seated himself, and watched her 
as she went back and forth to get the glass 
of water. Then she offered him the plate of 
gingerbread, and, as he saw that it would 
please her, he took a piece of it. He said 
it was very nice, and asked her if her fingers 
made it. 

“ Oh, no, sir,” she replied ; “ it is one of 
my gifts that I was telling you of.” 

He took the occasion, while she was put- 
ting away the tumbler, to cover the plate 
with three large oranges which he had 
brought with him ; and, as she turned round, 
her look of delight and astonishment, as she 
saw them, was almost too much for him to 
see. She stood spellbound for a moment, 
then, coming forward, asked, — 

“ Are they real oranges ? ” 

‘‘ Yes. What did you suppose they were^ 
Do you like them ? ” 


26 


THE SILVER LINING. 


“ Oil, yes sir, but I never had three be- 
fore.” " 

“Well, they are yours to eat, but do not 
give them to Philip.” 

“ But,” — she hesitated a moment, fearing 
it would not be polite to speak, but the 
gentleman encouraged her to tell him her 
thought, so she went on to say, — 

“ I want to give one to mother and one to 
Philip, — may I not ? ” 

“ Why not eat them yourself? ” 

“ Because a pleasure shared is a pleasure 
dpubled, you know ; and Philip likes oranges, 
too.” 

“ Do just as you hke, child ; they are 
yours to eat or to give away.” 

The gentleman was still more amused, as, 
with great womanly dignity, the child went 
to the drawer in the old-fashioned secretary, 


THE WORTH OF A SUNBEAM. 27 


and took out her knitting. She sat down 
in her little rocking-chair, and Rdo lay at 
her feet ; for he seemed to be confident that 
their visitor was a true friend. Nannie 
talked, but her face sobered, as her com- 
panion asked her, — 

“ Where are your parents, little girl ? ” 

“ Mother has gone to Mrs. Bond’s, to 
take care of her children, but my father is 
in the hospital in Boston.” 

“ Why is he there ? ” 

“ Oh, sir, he had a great fall ^rom the 
top of a house ; he is a carpenter, and was 
at work in Boston, and the people carried 
him to the hospital.” 

“ How long is it since you have seen 
him?” 

It was ' four months ago ; mother has 
been to Boston twice, but Philip and I 


28 


THE SILVER LINING. 


have not been. But we should hke to see 
him.’’ ^ 

“ What else does Philip wish for to 
make him happy?” 

“ Oh, sir, all the scholars are going a 
sleigh ride except Philip ; if he had twenty- 
five cents he could go too.” 

“Well, there are two quarters of a dol- 
lar ; one you can give to him, and one is 
for yourself, because you will stay at home.” 

The child reached out her hand to take 
the money ; hut a second thought caused 
her to withdraw it, and she said, a little hes- 
itatingly, — 

“ My mother does not let us receive 
money unless we earn it ; so you must keep 
it, sir.” 

“ But this is so little.” 

“It would be a great deal to us, so I 
must not take it.” 


THE WORTH OF A SUNBEAM. 


29 


He saw that she was firm, so he did not 
urge her further, and only asked* how she 
earned any money ? — what she did ? 

“ Not a great deal ; sometimes I take care 
of the babies in the neighborhood when 
their mothers wish to go out ; but Philip 
earns a good deal.’’ 

As the gentleman looked interested, Nan- 
nie told him of Philip’s late duties at Mrs. 
Mayo’s, how disappointed he was' to lose 
the place, and of his desire to obtain some- 
thing else to do. More questions were an- 
swered, equally satisfactorily, and when the 
gentleman rose to go, he put the fifty cents 
in the child’s hand, saying, — 

“ You must keep the money, — you have 
earned it ; we^ must always pay for preach- 
ing, and I like your sermons better than any 
I have ever heard. And say to your brother 


30 


THE SILVER LINING. 


Philip, that I want him to come up to Mr. 
Allen’s house after school to-morrow after- 
noon. I want just such a boy as he is, and 
if I hear a good account of him from Mrs. 
Mayo, I will employ him. I will see that 
he has his supper, and I will send him home 
with one of my men ; so your mother need 
not be anxious about him if he does not re- 
turn until after dark.” 

The rest 'of the day passed quickly to 
Nannie ; eating her dinner and reading the 
book occupied her till her mother and Philip 
came. After tea, Nannie brought out her 
fruit and told her story. Mrs. Preston was 
afraid at first lest her child had begged for 
the money ; but as the latter insisted upon it 
that she had not done so, her mother listened 
with eagerness to Nannie’s story, and Philip 
with boyish delight told her no one had such 
a bright little sister as himself. 


THE WORTH OF A SUNBEAM. 


31 


The next day Mrs. Preston had agreed to 
go to Mrs. Bond’s, and before eight o’clock 
she was gone. The day was cloudy, so Nan- 
nie could not go out, and she found need of 
all her cheerfulness before night. No one 
came in beside Philip, and he was not very 
considerate of his sister’s loneliness, for he 
was very silent while he stayed. Pie came 
back, however, after he had left the house, 
to bring her a picture that a playmate had 
given him ; and although it was only a wood- 
cut, it was company for Nannie all the after- 
noon. Its title was, “ Christ Blessing Little 
Children,” and Nannie took out her Scrap- 
Book, in which she had pasted all the pic- 
tures, which had ever come into her posses- 
sion, and decided just where the new one 
should go. 

No money could have induced Nannie to 


V 


32 THE SILVER LINING. 

part with this same book, although no one 
but a child would have considered it worth 
any money. But it was all Nannie had of 
the picture kind, and every addition to it 
was looked upon by her of priceless value. 

We will leave Nannie a while, however, 
and follow Philip, as released from school, 
he bends his steps toward the hill. He had 
not gone far when he heard sleigh-bells, and 
looking around he saw Mr. Green, the 
baker, who invited him to ride, asking at 
the same time where Philip was going. 
When the boy told Mr. Green, the latter 
said he was also going in that direction, so 
Philip was glad enough to be spared the 
long walk. His mother had always said 
that Philip would make his way through 
the world, and that if there were an easy 
way to do anything, he always found it; 


THE WORTH OF A SUNBEAM. 33 

which was true this time, for very soon he 
saw the large house back from the road 
among the trees ; and thanking Mr. Green 
for his kindness, Philip bounded from the 
sleigh and half running up the broad ave- 
nue, was in a few minutes more standing on 
the back piazza and pulling the door-bell. 
A pleasant-looking woman answered the 
summons, and saying to Philip that he 
would find Mr. Allen in his office, she 
opened the door on her right and motioned 
for him to enter. 

Mr. Allen was seated at a table ; he nodded 
to Philip as he came into the room, asking 
him, at the same time, to be seated until he 
was at leisure. The gentleman had a large 
roll of bank-bills in his hand, and quite a pile 
of them on the table. Philip looked on with 
amazement, and as Mr. Allen looked up 


3 


34 : 


THE SHiVER LINING. 


suddenly he saw the boy’s gaze was riveted 
on the money, and the former said : — 

“ What do you think of it ? ” 

“ I think you are very rich, sir.” 

“I thought, when I was at your house, 
yesterday, that you were rich.” 

“We, sir? we are not; we have not any 
money at all.” 

“But I did not say in money ; there are 
other kinds of riches ; would you give your 
little sister to me for this money ? ” 

“ Oh, no, sir, we could not get along with- 
out Nannie; father says she is the light of 
the house.” 

“So I thought when I saw her, and I 
called you rich in having such a sunbeam. 
I would give all my money for one like her 
in my house.” 

Philip looked as if he thought he should 


THE WORTH OF A SUNBEAM. 


35 


like a little of the money besides the sun- 
beam ; but he soon forgot his wishes, as Mr. 
Allen went on to say, — 

“I have been making inquiries of Mrs. 
Mayo concerning you ; and she says you are 
thoroughly honest and truthful. So I should 
like to have you come out here three times a 
week, after school, and spend the night. I will 
find employment for you, and, in the morn- 
ing, I will send you into town early enough 
for you to go to the post-office for me, and to 
do other errands, and you can be in school 
by half past nine. If your mother approves 
of the proposal I will myself see Mr. Bradlee, 
and he will know, from me, why you are 
tardy. I will pay you handsomely for your 
services, if you prove to be what I expect of 
yon. The nights I shall want you to be 
here will be Mondays and Fridays. Wednes- 


36 


THE SILVER LINING. 


days I should like you to come out directly 
after school at noon.” 

Philip thought he should like the plan very 
much ; and when the bell rang for Mr. Al- 
len’s supper, he called the same servant whom 
Philip had seen, and, putting Philip under 
her care, the two went into the kitchen. ' A 
large table was soon surrounded with the 
servants of the household, both men and 
women. Philip found no one expected him 
to talk, so he ate his bread and milk and 
large piece of apple-pie in silence. It was 
not so cheery for him as their own tea-table 
at home ; but he was in a rich man’s house, 
and the boy saw everything through rose- 
colored spectacles. 

After the meal was over the boy was sum- 
moned- into another apartment, when ,Mr. 
Allen, asking him if he liked to read aloud, 


THE WORTH OF A SUNBEAM. 


37 


handed him a newspaper. Philip did not 
enjoy this, but he did not say so, and read to 
the gentleman half an hour. Then one of 
the men came in to say that he was ready to 
go into town ; so Mr. Allen told Philip to get 
his coat and cap, and go too. The ride home 
was soon accomplished, and, as Philip left 
the sleigh, the man got out also. He took 
out a good-sized basket, and, handing it to 
the boy, the man said, — 

“Mr. Allen told me to ask you to bring 
home the basket the next time you came to 
the house.” 

“ Mrs. Preston opened the door quietly, for 
Nannie had at last gone to bed, and her 
mother did not wish her disturbed. But the 
child was not asleep, for, in a moment she 
appeared on the threshold, entreating permis- 
sion to come out of the bedroom to hear 


38 


THE SILVER LINING. 


Philip’s account. Mrs. Preston did not think 
it quite best that the child should do so, but 
at last gave her consent. But Philip was so 
excited that he could not tell his story qui- 
etly ; he threw his cap again and again to 
the ceiling, crying, — 

‘‘ Hurrah ! hurrah ! is it not fine ? ” 
Finally his mother calmed him enough to 
learn the full particulars of his visit, and then 
she was as pleased as he. The basket they 
found nearly filled with potatoes, with a few 
squashes and apples on the top. Nannie was 
very desirous of eating one that night, but 
her mother forbade it, and not long after, the 
family were all asleep. 


CHAPTER III. 

COMING TO CHRIST. 


“ There is joy in heaven, there is joy in heaven, 

When the sheep that went astray 
Turns into the heavenly way: 

When the soul by grace subdued, ' 

Sobs its prayer of gratitude. 

Then joy is there in heaven.” — Heber. 

HE next day the sleigh-ride was to 
take place, and as Mr. Allen had 
said he did not wish Philip to com- 
his duties until the next week, there 
was nothing to hinder his going. The 
scholars were to have no lessons that morning, 
and all to be at the schoolhouse precisely at 
twelve o’clock. Mrs. Preston was at home 



mence 


( 39 ) 



40 


THE SILVER LINING. 


that day, and she found enough to occupy 
her all the early part of it, to make up for the 
time she had been absent. The dough she 
had left in the hread-pan she found must he 
baked the first thing ; but her wood was too 
long for her stove, and Philip had disappeared 
immediately after breakfast. Nannie was 
sent to the door more than once to look for 
,him; the last time she^ looked she saw him 
with Ealph Fisher, and she called to the boys 
to come to her. 

Philip had other occupation more to his 
taste than splitting or cutting wood, but 
he knew it would not do to refuse. Ealph 
looked disappointed, at first, to lose his play- 
mate. Nannie invited him to come into the 
house, and wait until Philip should be at 
liberty ; but Ealph replied : — 

“ No, Nannie, you dress up warmly, and I 


COMING TO CHRIST. 


41 


will draw you on my sled : come, for it is not 
very cold.” 

“ I should like to. go, Ealph, but I must 
ask mother, first.” 

Mrs. Preston hardly knew how to take the 
time to help Nanhie dress, but, as she did not 
often have such an offer made her, the mother 
would not refuse. She stood at the door to 
see how careful Ralph was of her child, and 
how full of joy the latter was at the thought 
of her ride. They were gone nearly an hour, 
and had much to tell when they returned 
home. 

On their way they had met Mr. Allen, 
who, recognizing the little red hood with the 
bright face inside of it, had stopped his horse, 
to question her. She told him how kind 
Ralph had been, while he looked at and 
patted the horses ; and when Mr. Allen 


42 


THE SILVER LINING. 


the boy how he should like to drive them, 
Ralph had said, — 

“ Better than anything else in the world.’’ 

So the kind gentleman had caught up 
Nannie, and put her in the sleigh before she 
knew what he was doing. Ralph followed 
her, and Mr. Allen, too. The latter put the 
reins in the boy’s hands, and they went “ so 
fast — oh, it was splendid,” Nannie said. 

And Ralph told how pleased Mr. Allen 
had looked when Nannie, bidding him good- 
by, had put her arms around his neck to kiss 
him, and he said he did not have such sweet 
kisses every day. While she made him laugh, 
as she replied, she did not have such a nice 
old gentleman to kiss very often. 

Then Ralph went off, charging Philip to be 
sure and be at the schoolhouse at a quarter 
before twelve. Mrs. Preston’s dinner was 


COMING TO CHRIST. 


43 


ready and eaten soon after eleven, and Philip 
joyfully left home to join his companions. 
Then Mrs. Preston said to Nannie, — 

‘‘Mrs. Wood came here^ while you were 
gone, and asked us to come and spend the 
afternoon with her. The sleighing party are 
to go right by their house, and she thought 
you would like to see them.” 

“ So I should,” said Nannie ; “ everybody 
seems to think about me : when shall we 
go?” 

“ Right away,” replied her mother ; “ but 
you must take your knitting with you, for 
you have not done any work to-day j and 
your brother is in need of his socks.” 

Nannie did not want to do this. She did 
not feel like working, she said; but Mrs. 
Preston was firm in insisting that there must 
be no visit if there were to be no work. So 


44 


THE SILVER LINING. 


Nannie, finding she must yield her wishes, 
concluded to do it gracefully, and, with her 
little bag upon her arm, and her crutch, she 
walked sd fast that her mother could hardly 
keep pace with her. 

Charlie Wood was at the window, on the 
watch for her, and, little as he was, he opened 
the door to admit the visitors. The house 
was no larger than their own, but it was on 
the corner of the next street ; and Nannie 
and the little boy were soon seated by the 
window, to catch the first glimpse of the rev- 
ellers. They did not have to wait long, for, 
with fiags and streamers flying, and merry 
shouts, the two large sleighs, filled with boys 
and girls, went by. Mrs. Wood opened the 
window, and, as almost all the children knew 
Nannie, some of the older boys proposed 
three cheers for her, and they were given 
with a will. 


COMING TO CHRIST. 


45 


The knitting was then brought out, and 
the ten rounds accomplished. All the rest 
of the afternoon Nannie played with Charlie, 
to his ffreat delight. She made houses with 
his blocks, letting him knock them over as 
fast as he chose to do so ; drew for him on 
the slate, cut paper into all sorts of figures, 
and, when he was tired of them all, then she 
sang to him. One hymn and tune he took 
a great fancy to, and she sung it over and 
over. It commenced thus, — 

“ The way to heaven is narrow, 

And its blessed entrance strait ; 

But how safe the little pilgrims 
Who get within the gate! ” 

At five o’clock, they were summoned to 
supper, and Nannie’s eyes sparkled as she saw 
the well-filled table. It was long since she 
had seen such a variety ; for the accident of 


46 


THE SILVER LINING. 


her father had deprived his family of many 
comforts. Mrs. Preston feared Nannie would 
be made sick by her indulgence, but Mrs. 
Wood insisted that it would, on the contrary, 
do her good ; so Nannie ate to the full. 

She with her mother went home a good 
hour before Philip came; nothing had oc- 
curred to mar his happiness, and his mother 
was gratified to find that he had reserved a 
large apple for his sister. He did not often 
remember the comfort of others, and she was 
glad to find that prosperity did not harden 
his heart. 

On Saturday, Nannie did not appear as 
well as usual ; so much dissipation had not 
agreed with her, and Mrs. Preston insisted on 
Nannie’s remaining quiet through the day. 
Sunday morning she was not any better, but 
still she urged her mother and Philip to at- 


COMING TO CHRIST. 


47 


tend church without her ; so they went. In 
the afternoon Mrs. Preston stayed at home 
with her child, and Nannie was glad she did. 
The mother read aloud some of Christ’s mir- 
acles, and as Nannie heard how the blind 
were made to see, the deaf to hear, and the 
lame to walk, she looked thoughtful for a few 
minutes and then said, — 

“ If you knew, mother, that Jesus was in 
our street, would you not go and ask him to 
cure me and make me well ? ” 

“ Yes, indeed, Nannie ; though I have not 
waited for that, — I ask him every day.” 

“ To make me well, mother ? ” 

“ I used to ask him to cure you of your 
lameness when you were a babe ; now I pray 
to him to cure you of a worse disease than 
that.” 

Nannie knew well to what her mother re- 


48 


THE SILVER LINING. 


ferred ; the latter had prayed with her child 
too often for Nannie to doubt her words ; but 
to the child the bodily ailment seemed the 
greater ; and, drawing her cricket still nearer 
to her mother, Nannie said, — 

“ But, mother, it seems worse to me to be 
lame all my life, never to be able to run and 
jump like Philip, but to have every one who 
sees me pity me, and say, ‘ Poor child ! ’ ’’ 

“ I know it must be hard, Nannie, for you ; 
it was a long while before I could be willing, 
and often now I am not resigned to have it 
so ; but then this lameness, trying as it is, 
will only be for your life. If w^e ever get to 
heaven, darling, we shall think it little mat- 
ter that w'e suffered pain or trial in this world. 
But it troubles me more than anything else 
not to be sure that you are seeking to be fit- 
ted for the better country. There is only 


COMING TO CHRIST. 


49 


One who can prepare you, and he is the 
same Jesus who when on earth cured the 
blind and lame.” 

“ It does not seem as if it could be the 
same ; if he were only here in this room I 
would go right to him. I know just what I 
should say : I would beg him to make me 
well, and to take away all these naughty 
thoughts out of my heart.” 

“ You can ask him ; he is in the room, 
Nannie, — has heard all you have said to me. 
Will you not kneel down here with me and 
beg him now ? He is all ready to hear you.” 

Nannie did kneel with her mother in 
prayer ; the child still asked that the lame- 
ness might be cured ; that was the uppermost 
thought and desire of her heart. But theTe 
was also a little knowledge of the sinfulness 
of her soul, and a little longing to have the 


4 


60 


THE SILVER LINING. 


blessed Saviour make her his own dear 
child. 

Nannie still had her Testament in her 
hand when Philip came home ; he was not 
as boisterous as usual, and it was with gen- 
uine feeling that he addressed his sister, say- 

ing» — 

“ I was very sorry you were not at church, 
Nannie, this afternoon, for Mr. Williams 
preached to the children. The scholars sat 
together in the front pews. I saw him look 
around ever so many times. I thought he was 
looking for you ; and after service he asked 
me where you were.’’ 

“ Did he ? ” said Nannie ; “ I wish I had 
been there, for I love him very much.” 

“ What was the text, Philip ? ” asked Mrs. 
Preston. 

“ It was, ‘ Ask and it shall be given you ; 


COMING TO CHRIST. 


51 


seek, and ye shall find ; knock, and it shall 
be opened unto you.’ Mr. Williams re- 
peated it twice, and then he asked all the 
scholars to say it together.” 

“ Did they do so? ” asked Nannie. 

“Yes, I think so. I did. After he was 
through the sermon, he asked those of us who 
remembered anything he had said to rise. 
At first no one dared to do so. Then he 
called upon Ralph Fisher to repeat what he 
could recollect. And Ralph said, ‘ If chil- 
dren wanted a favor from their parents they 
were not afraid to ask for it.’ ” 

“ Did Mr. Williams call upon you, Philip, 
and what did you say ? ” 

“ Oh, yes, I remembered that he said ‘ If 
we were sent to a firiend’s house for anything, 
and the people inside did not hear us the first 
time, we knocked again and again. That 


52 


THE SILVER LINING. 


the more anxious we were to get the article 
for which we went, the more earnestly we 
knocked.’ ” 

“Did he ask Josie Curtis? ” 

“ Yes ; he said, ‘ Josie, have you any thought 
for me ? ’ She stood up immediately and an- 
swered, ‘ You said, Mr. Williams, that Jesus 
was unlike any other friend, for he was 
always hoping the children would come to 
him, and that he could hear the faintest 
whisper; that he never was tired of our 
requests, but we could ask every day for the 
same thing; also, that he has promised to 
hear us when we pray, and that what God 
promises he always performs.’ ” 

“ Oh, I wish,” said Nannie, “ I could 
have been at church ; but then, mother and 
I have had a beautiful time at home, reading 
aloud and praying to Jesus. And, Philip, I 


COMING TO CHRIST. 


53 


asked him to make me well and to forgive 
all my sins. Have you ever asked him to 
make you his child, Philip ? ” 

Nannie’s eyes were filled with tears as she 
asked the question, and her brother’s were 
not free ; but boy-like he seemed almost 
ashamed of his weakness, evidently thinking 
the application of the sermon too close a one, 
and he hastily said, — 

After the sermon, Mr. Williams read to 
us a hymn and we all sang it ; he sent to you 
a copy of it. I will read it to you : — 

“ ‘ The Master has come over Jordan,’ 

' Said Hannah, the mother, one day ; 

* Is healing the people who throng him 
With a touch of his finger, they say. 

“ ‘ And now I shall carry the children, — 

Little Rachel and Samuel and John ; 

I shall carry the baby Esther, 

For the Lord to look upon.’ 


54 


THE SILVER LINING. 


“ The father looked at her kindly, 

But he shook his head and smiled; 

‘ Now who but a doating mother, 

Would think of a thing so wild? 

“ ‘ If the children were tortured by demons. 

Or d^dng of fever, ’twere well. 

Or had the taint of the leper. 

Like many in Israel.* 

“ ‘ Nay do not hinder me, Nathan, 

I feel such a burden of care, — 

If I carry it to the Master, 

Perhaps I shall leave it there. 

“ ‘ If he lay his hand on the children. 

My heart will be lighter, I know; 

For a blessing forever and ever 
Will follow them as they go.’ 

“ So over the hills of Jordan, 

Along by the vine-rows green, 

With Esther asleep on her bosom. 

And Rachel her brother between, — 

’Mong the people who hung on his teaching. 
Or waited his touch and his word. 

Through the row of proud Pharisees listening, 
She pressed to the feet of the Lord. 


COMING TO CHRIST, 


55 


“ ‘ Now why shouldst thou hinder the Master,* 
Said Peter, * with children like these? 
Seest not how from morning till evening 
He teacheth, and healeth disease ? * 

“ Then Christ said, ‘ Forbid not the children. 
Permit them to come unto me ; * 

And he took in his arms little Esther, 

And Rachel he set on his knee. 

“ And the heavy heart of the mother, 

Was lifted all earth-care above. 

As he laid his hands on the brothers. 

And blest them with tenderest love : 

“ As he said of the babes in his bosom, 

* Of such are the kingdom of heaven,* 

And strength for all duty and trial 
That hour to her spirit was given.” 


All that evening, Nannie could talk of but 
little else but the Saviour, wishing she had 
been one of the children upon whom he had 
laid his hands. Never before had she real- 
ized so fully his presence upon earth, nor so 


56 


THE SILVER LINING. 


ardently desired to be fitted to dwell with 
him in heaven. So with the whole heart 
she asked Jesus to wash away all her sins, 
and make her his own child. 

And Mrs. Preston always thought that 
the Holy Spirit did from that veiy Sabbath 
begin a good work in Nannie’s heart. She 
was still only a child, interested and pleased 
with childish pursuits, but manifesting in her 
daily life the truth of the Scripture, “ Even 
a child is known by his doings, whether his 
work be pure, and whether it be right.” 


CHAPTER IV. 


FAITHFUL IN LITTLE. 

“ Oh, that I were an orange tree, 

- That busy plant ! 

Then should I ever laden be, 

And never want 

Some fruit for him that dresseth me.' 



BOUT noon Philip went off in 
high glee, for, instead of coming 
home, he was to go after ' school was 
dismissed, to Mr. Allen’s house to com- 
mence his new duties. His mother charged 
him not to forget to take the basket home ; 


hut after he had been gone an hour, she 
found it in their entry. Philip was sorry 
he had not remembered it, for, as he went 

( 67 ) 



58 


THE SILVER LINING. 


up the steps of the piazza, Mr. Allen was 
there talking with Hester; and as he saw 
the boy, the gentleman asked him, — 

‘‘ Where is the basket ? 

“ I forgot to bring it, sir,” replied Philip. 

“ That will never do, you must ” — 

There, Mr. Allen stopped, and then said, 
“ As it is the first time, I will excuse it ; 
but if such a thing happens again, you must 
return home for the article, whatever it is.” 

Philip followed Hester into the kitchen 
and she said, “ You were unfortunate to- 
night.” 

He answered, “ But it was such a little 
thing.” 

“ Yes,” said Hester, “ it may seem so 
to you, but Mr. Allen says that if we are 
careful about the little things, we shall be 
in regard to the greater ones. He is well 


FAITHFUL IN LITTLE. 


59 


worth pleasing, Philip; if you suit him, he 
will be a very kind friend to you.’’ 

There was nothing for Philip to do be- 
fore supper, so he remained with Hester, 
who had taken a fancy to him. After 
supper was over, Mr. Allen called him into 
the library and made known his plans ; 
Philip was to do the errands for the family. 
Mr. Allen held a list of them, and giving 
the boy a blank book, told him he expected 
an account kept of all money he received 
or spent. 

“ Your work, Philip, will be definite and 
easy; anything you do not understand in 
relation to it I will explain ; but you 
must remember that I shall require prompt- 
ness and accuracy from you ; and in re- 
turn you will receive my full confidence 
and generous pay for your services.” 


60 


THE SILVER LINING. 


Philip was ready to promise to do all 
that Mr. Allen asked, pleased with his new 
duties, and sure that he should not fail to 
satisfy all the wishes of his employer. 

Tuesday morning, Philip did all his 
errands, and was able to look in a moment 
upon his sister before the time came that 
he must be in school. He felt and looked 
very important as he went to the post- 
office, to the market, and to Mr. Martyn’s 
store. It was a different thing entirely 
buying for his mother the few small articles 
she needed from day, to day and purchasing 
on the scale necessary to keep up such a 
large establishment as Mr. Allen’s. Nannie 
was pleased enough to see her brother, al- 
though he said, as he entered his home, — 
“ I can stop but a moment ; I only came 
to tell you how well I am getting along.” 

V 


FAITHFUL IN LITTLE. 


61 


He promised his sister that at noon he 
would tell her all ; there was not time even 
then to answer all her numerous questions ; 
but at night, he went over the account 
again and again. Under other circum- 
stances, it would have been very tedious to 
him, but as he himself had been the prin- 
cipal actor, he now enjoyed his sister’s 
surprise and the admiration she expressed, 
for Nannie was sure that Philip had been 
and would be in the future of great assist- 
ance to Mr. Allen. 

Wednesday, Philip remembered to take 
the basket with him, when he went to the 
mansion-house. Hester was on the look- 
out for him, and conducting him to the 
little room where he had slept on Monday 
night, she said, — 

“ Mr. Allen says you are no^v to take 


62 


THE SILVER LINING. 


all your meals with him, and so you had 
better brush your hair, and wash the dust 
from your hands and face, for he likes 
all who associate with him to be in very 
nice order.” 

Phijip did as Hester suggested, althougn 
he thought she was fussy to require it, 
but when he went in to dinner, he was 
glad he had listened to her suggestions. 
Everything on the table and about the room 
was in perfect order, and Philip had never 
seen any one look so like a gentleman as 
Mr. Allen. 

The boy did not feel entirely at ease, 
although Mr. Allen did all in his power to 
make him so ; but it was not until the nuts 
and apples were placed on the table that 
Philip quite forgot himself. Mr. Allen, 
however, was well satisfied with his compan- 


FAITHFUL IN LITTLE. 


63 


ion. The former knew the awkwardness of 
the boy would soon wear off; but if intelli- 
gence and good sense had been wanting in 
him, neither time nor freedom could have 
supplied the deficiency. 

Philip reminded Mr. Allen of Nannie 
more than once ; the boy had his sister’s 
mirthfulness and frank manner of telling 
what was in his heart ; and he answered 
all Mr. Allen’s questions without disguise. 

After dinner they went into the library ; 
Philip exclaimed at the sight of so many 
books, for the latter were all out of the 
cases, lying upon the tables and chairs in 
great confusion as it seemed to him. But 
Mr. Allen explained that these cases were 
new ones, and had just been sent from 
Boston. Before placing the books upon 
the shelves, he had thought he should like 


64 


THE SILVER LINING. 


a catalogue made, and was confident that 
with Philip’s assistance it could be done. 
Only a beginning was made that afternoon, 
for after an hour’s work Philip showed 
signs of weariness, and Mr. Allen sent him 
out to the barn of an errand, to the men 
who were there. It was sometime before 
he returned, and then his time was his own 
until supper should be ready. 

Among the books he had noticed two or 
three which he thought he should like to 
read, and, seating himself in a corner of the ^ 
kitchen, he was soon absorbed in “ The 
Tales of a Grandfather.” Hester went in 
and out of the room without his noticing her ; 
so did Jane, the chambermaid, and John, the 
gardener. As Philip was not in their way, 
they did not speak to him ; but they were all 
interested in him. 


FAITHFUL IN LITTLE. 


65 


Hester had left, in her own home, a little 
brother who, she knew, must now be just the 
age and size of Philip. She had been gone 
ten years from her childhood’s home, but had 
not forgotten it, nor the dear ones, within its 
walls. Jane had a son, who had gone to sea 
when no older than Philip ; and the garden- 
er’s sons, their father had often regretted 
that they cared little for books or learning. 

So when the two women came in the room 
again, and lighted the candles to assist them 
in getting supper, Hester asked Philip to 
read aloud to them, and the half-hour that 
he did so was thoroughly enjoyed by them 
all. In the evening he read to Mr. Allen, 
for the gentleman’s eyes were troubling him, 
and the contents of the daily paper he must 
be made acquainted with. 

The next morning Philip resumed his 


6 


66 


THE SILVER LINING. 


duties. For many weeks all went smoothly. 
To be sure he made some mistakes and some 
trouble to Mr. Allen and Hester ; but Philip 
tried to please them, and they excused and 
forgave him when he failed. 

Mr. Allen did not forget Nannie, and one 
day sent word by Philip that he was going to 
Boston the next morning, in his sleigh, and 
that he would take her to see her father if 
she would like to go. The offer was a very 
tempting one. She had never been any- 
where without her mother before; but the 
latter knew Mr. Allen would take the best 
care of her child, so she gave her consent 
to the proposition. 

Mrs. Preston had been making her hus- 
band some shirts. All but one were com- 
pleted, and she was very busy all that day, 
hoping to finish it for Nannie to carry them 


FAITHFUL IN LITTLE. 


67 


with her, Nannie kept the needle threaded, 
and did all she could to help forward the 
work ; but she was hardly satisfied to do so 
little, and after sitting some time, seeing the 
•shining needle go in and out so swiftly, she 
said, — 

“ I wish I could do some good to some- 
body.” 

“ You are doing some, Nannie, now : you 
have assisted me a good deal in my sewing. 
Then, too, you helped Philip this morning, 
you know.” 

“But that is not what I mean, mother. 
Mr. Williams said last Sabbath that Christ 
went about doing good, and that all who 
loved him would do the same. 1 have been 
thinking of it all the week ; but there seems 
nothing for me to do. I have always liked 
to help Philip and you ; but Mr. Williams 


68 


THE SILVER LINING. 


spoke as if he meant something we might not 
wish to do. He said we must all take up 
the cross and follow Christ.’’ 

Mrs. Preston glanced up from her work at 
her child, as if she thought a heavy cross had 
been already laid upon Nannie ; but the 
mother did not say so : her reply was, — 

“ But, Nannie, a good many people make 
a mistake, and think because there is not some 
great thing to do for others’ comfort, they 
will not do anything. If we really want to 
ser^e Christ, he will open the way. You 
are as truly serving him and doing good 
^ when you are a kind daughter and sister, as 
if you went from house to house, helping the 
poor and needy. God looks at the spirit in 
which we work, not at the amount we per- 
form. When we have been faithful for him 
in little things, he often opens the door for us 


FAITHFUL IN LITTLE. 


69 


to do something else in his service. So it will 
be with you: you may be called to testify 
openly to his goodness and mercy.’’ 

“ What do you mean by testify, mother ? ” 

“ Why, the Bible says, ‘ Be ready always 
to give an answer to every man that asketh 
you a reason of the hope that is in you, with 
meekness and fear.’ It requires, often, a 
great deal of love for the Saviour to be ready 
to own him as our Friend and Master, if we 
are with those who are not his servants.” 

“ It seems now as if it would be easy to do 
so : I love him so much that I want to tell 
every one I meet how kind and good he is.” 

“But you know, Nannie, that you do not 
like to be laughed at and made fun of; but 
that is one way people often try to make 
Christians deny that they are such.” 

“ Make fun -of them, mother I They must 


70 


THE SILVER LINING. 


be very wicked people wlio do suck things. 
T hope I never shall know any such.” 

“ If you do, Nannie, I hope you will not 
deny the dear Saviour. You remember the 
hymn that begins, — 

‘ I’m not ashamed to own my Lord, 

Nor to defend his cause ; 

Maintain the honor of his word, 

The glor}^ of his cross.’ 

Supposing you get the book, and learn the 
hymn : it may be a great assistance to you, 
sometime when you are tempted, to know it.” 

So Nannie went for the book. She had 
long been familiar with the hymn ; for it was 
dne her mother often sano; when at her work. 
Before it was time to set the table for supper, 
every word of the hymn wns perfectly learned. 
She also insisted that her mother should not 
leave her sewing to get their evening repast. 


FAITHFUL IN LITTLE. 


71 


for Nannie tliought she could do it all. It 
took her longer than usual, for her thoughts 
were busy ; but everything was in order be- 
fore Philip came. He was full of talk, and 
was scarcely seated at table when his mother 
asked God’s blessing upon their food. The 
moment she ceased, he said, hurriedly, — 

“ Mr. Allen never asks any blessing, 
mother, nor prays in the morning or even- 
ing in the family.” 

Philip did not hear the words from Nan- 
nie, O Philip, never prays I ” 

But his mother heard and saw the grieved 
look upon her daughter’s face. She took no 
notice then of Nannie’s remark, but replied 
to Philip, — 

“ I am very sorry, my son, he does not ; 1 
think he, would be a happier man if he did 
pray.” 


72 


THE SILVER LINING. 


“Well, lie has everything to make him 
happy now, only he never appears so. I 
wonder why it is.’’ 

Mrs. Preston did not think it best to dis- 
cuss the matter any more with her children 
then, but her verse at their evening devo- 
tions was, — 

“ Better is little with the fear of the Lord, 
than great treasure and trouble therewith.” 

Philip wondered, while he listened, if his 
mother were thinking of Mr. Allen’s wealth 
and their poverty. 

The next morning Nannie was awake, 
and she lay in bed tliinkinor of the sreat 
pleasure that was in store for her. She 
raised her head once or twice to see if her 
mother were awake ; the last time, just as 
the child had concluded -her companion was 
still asleep, Mrs. Preston asked her, — 


FAITHPUL IN LITTLE. 


73 


“ What is it, Nannie ? ’’ 

“ O mother, do you suppose the little girl 
\^11 be on the hospital steps to-day ?’’ 

“ I think very likely, Nannie, she will. 

“ W ell, may I take something to her ? ” 

“ What do you wish to carry ? ” 

“ Oh, I thought I should like to make her 
happy, but I do not know what to take. 
May I give her one of my books ? ’’ 

Now the books were only four in num- 
ber, and had all been given as presents to 
her by her parents and Sabbath school 
teacher ; and Mrs. Preston did not con- 
sider it best that Nannie should part with 
them. But Nannie had a few numbers of 
“ The Child’s Paper,” which were of great 
value in her sight, and her mother said she 
might give away one or two of them if she 
chose. 


74 


THE SILVER LINING. 


Whicli should it be ? One had a beauti- 
ful story, another a sweet little hymn, and 
a third a charming picture : all were very 
precious in her eyes, and when Philip called 
her to breakfast, she was yet undecided. 
He thought, and said, she was a little goose 
for giving any of them away ; but his 
mother reproved him for the remark. 

The bundle of clothing was made up for 
their father ; in it their thoughtful mother 
had put a few comforts, of which she had 
denied herself to send to him, A large apple 
Mr. Allen had given to Nannie the last 
time he came to see her, was in this same 
bundle, but the child had her two papers in 
the pocket of her cloak. Some tears had 
fallen on them as she had folded them, but 
tears did not prevent her carrying out her 
purpose; it was a little cross, but she was 


FAITHFUL IN LITTLE. 


75 


bearing it with the Master’s spirit. When 
Mr. Allen called for her, he found her all 
ready for her ride ; and the child and her 
bundle were speedily deposited in the sleigh, 
and the fast horses soon carrying them 
toward the great city. 

Arrived at the hospital, Mr. Allen found 
no difficulty in obtaining admittance ; and 
learning from one of the nurses in attend- 
ance where to find Mr. Preston, Nannie and 
her friend were soon at the sick man’s side. 
His eyes grew larger and brighter as he 
saw his child, while she fairly cried with 
joy to be once more in his arms. After 
talking with the invalid of his accident, 
telling him of his family, and the news of 
the village, Mr. Allen left Nannie with her 
father, saying, that in an hour or two he 
should return for her. 


76 


THE SILVER LINING. 


The time spent in the hospital was alto- 
gether too short for Nannie, although it was 
nearly three hours. So much had occurred ; 
there were so many questions to he asked 
and answered by both father and child ; she 
had always been her father’s pet, partly on 
account of her infirmity, and in part be- 
cause she was the youngest child. She 
told him all that had taken place, her 
mother’s constant labors, of Philip’s great 
prospects, of her own little life, its new 
hopes and resolves, till the tears ran down 
his cheeks. 

lie longed to go home to lighten the 
burden of toil that his good wife was carry- 
ing alone, to caution and advise Pliilip, and 
to guide and strengthen the little Christian 
in her daily path. In a few petitions he 
commended his little lamb to the Great 


FAITHFUL IN LITTLE. 


77 


Shepherd’s care; and when Mr. Allen ap- 
peared he was touched by the words and 
manner of Mr. Preston. 

The latter was a plain man, inferior to 
his ^ wife, had been Mr. Allen’s first im- 
pression ; but those impressions were changed 
as he looked the second time. He envied 
the father when he parted with his daugh- 
ter. Poor as he was in worldly goods, Mr. 
Allen thought for the moment that Mr. 
Preston was the richer of the two. 

When they had arrived at the hospital, 
Nannie had been disappointed that the girl 
with her basket of matches had not been 
in sight ; but as they came down the steps, 
whom should Nannie see but the very one 
her mother had described to her ? She rec- 
ognized the dress and shawl of the match- 

O 

girl, and as the latter heard voices, she 


78 


THE SILVER LINING. 


turned to see who was coming. Nannie 
then saw her face, and that she was read- 
ing a torn hook. Putting her hand in her 
pocket, and drawing from thence her treas- 
ures, Nannie said, — 

“ I have some beautiful papers full of pic- 
tures, and I will give them to you.” 

The stranger did not find any words to 
express her gratitude, hut Nannie took it for 
granted that she was pleased. Mr. Allen 
had stood by, an interested spectator ; he had 
seen pity in the faces of the children as they 
looked at each other ; the one rejoicing in 
her freedom from all physical infirmity, and 
the other thinking of the pleasant home and 
parental care that had ever shielded her 
from want and suffering like that she saw in 
the countenance and dress of the child beside 
her. 


FAITHFUL IN LITTLE. 


79 


Mr. Allen said nothing of all this foj 
some time, but he drove to a confectionarj 
store where they partook of a generous lunch 
Nannie took this opportunity of thanking 
him for the oranges and lemons he had given 
to her father ; while Mr. Allen, not quite 
satisfied with what he had already done, 
bought a pound of all varieties of candy, and 
putting it into Nannie’s hands they were 
once more in the sleigh driving towards 
home. 

Then turning to his companion, he asked 
her, “ Why did you give those papers to that 
poor girl, Nannie ? ” 

“ Why, because I was sorry for her ; I am 
afraid she has not a kind mother, and per- 
haps the papers will teach her how to be- 
come good.” 

“ Good ! ” said Mr. Allen ; “ if they teach 


80 


THE SILVER LINING. 


her how to sell her matches, I think that 
would be more important to her.” 

Nannie’s glance at him was a very sorrow- 
ful one, and as he saw it he asked her, — 

“Do not you think so ? ” 

“ Oh, no, sir ; you know if she were a ^ 
Christian our heavenly Father would not let 
her w^ant any good thing.” 

“ What is it to be a Christian ? ” 

“ It is to love the Lord Jesus Christ, and 
to try to be like him.” 

“ Do you think I am a Christian ? ” 

The gaze that Nannie fixed upon the gen- 
tleman was a very sad one, and her voice 
sank almost to a whisper as she replied, — 

“ I am afraid not, sir.” 

“ Ah I and why not ? ” 

There was a good deal of sarcasm in Mr. 
Allen’s manner, and Nannie felt it ; but he 


FAITHFUL IN LITTLE. 


81 


had asked her a plain question, and she felt 
she must answer it ; so she said, — 

“ Why, Philip says you do not pray to our 
heavenly Father in the morning nor at night ; 
and I am sure if you loved him you could 
not help doing so.” 

“ Do you pray, and for what ? ” 

Oh, yes, sir, I could not get along with- 
out it ; I thank God for all my blessings, and 
I ask the dear Saviour to make me a very 
good child. Then I pray for my father and 
mother, for Philip, and for all the poor peo- 
ple, and — and I pray for you, too, Mr. 
Allen.” 

He had not expected this last, it was very 
evident ; and though they were only a child’s 
words, still he almost resented it that even she 
should imagine that he had not all he needed. 
But he did not speak all his thoughts ; she 


82 


THE SILVER LINING. 


knew by his silence that she had said enough. 
And then she remembered her conversation 
with her mother the day before, and the 
beautiful hymn came to her mind again, — 

“ Jesus the Lord, I know his name, 

His name is all my trust ; 

Nor will he put my soul to shame, 

Nor let my hope be lost.” 

She had had her desire, and had testified 
for the Saviour ; she had spoken only a few 
words, but they were never forgotten by him 
to whom they were addressed. 


CHAPTER V. 


FALLING INTO TEMPTATION. 

“ Sin, not till it is left, will duly sinful seem; 

A man must waken first, ere he can tell his dream.” 

Trench. 

OME weeks later, Philip got into 
trouble, and partly through his own 
fault. He had been envied by many 
of his companions for his good fortune in be- 
ing employed by Mr. Allen ; other boys had 
applied for the situation without success. 
One boy, Gilbert Powers, held the same offices 
some six months before, for a few weeks ; 
but, proving to be dishonest and untruthful, 
( 83 ) 



84 


THE SILVER LINING. 


he had been dismissed without ceremony, by- 
Mr. Allen. 

Philip never had had much intercourse 
with Gilbert till about the time Nannie went 
to Boston; that same week Gilbert was in 
the post-office when Philip entered it. The 
latter was on his way to Mr. Allen’s ; and 
after receiving the letters and papers, Philip, 
accompanied by Gilbert, set out for the Man- 
sion house. The older boy professed great 
interest in Philip, artfully suggesting that his 
prosperity was owing to his unusual smart- 
ness and ability. This had been Philip’s own 
idea for a long time, and he did not gainsay 
it. Just before they reached the avenue, Gil- 
bert turned off down another road, saying, — 

“ This is my, way, but I am glad I met 
you — good-by.” 

Philip walked on, thinking to himself how 


FALLING INTO TEMPTATION. 


85 


very agreeable Gilbert Powers had been, 
Wednesday noon they met again; this time 
it was in the stable where Philip went for 
his horse. The day was delightful, and, as 
the man brought out the sleigh, Gilbert said, 
to Philip, — 

• ‘‘ You are the envy of all the boys about 
here, ^ you have such a fine team ; and you 
handle the reins first-rate.” 

In return for the compliment, Philip in- 
vited Gilbert to ride with him; and the 
former, to show still further his expertness 
in driving, took the long way home. He 
was almost sorry he did so, however, for they 
met Mr. Allen in his own sleigh, driving into 
the village. He spoke to Philip, but looked 
rather sternly at his companion. But Gilbert 
did not allow Philip much time for thought ; 
and he turned his mind by asking careful 


86 


THE SILVER LINING. 


questions concerning his employments and 
duties. 

The latter did not suspect any harm, and 
was very free in telling all ; indeed, he hardly 
exercised his usual caution, hut, pleased with 
the flattering words and manner of his asso- 
ciate, Philip was much more explicit in 
speaking of his purchases, and the amount 
of money that daily passed through his hands, 
than he would have been with any one else. 

At tea time, Mr. Allen spoke of Gilbert to 
Philip, saying, “ He is a boy you can learn 
nothing good from associating with, and I 
desire you will never invite him to ride with 
you again.” 

' Philip, confident that he knew better, 
thought Mr. Allen was prejudiced against 
Gilbert, wdio seemed a very fine fellow, not 
wild at all, but very kind-hearted. Gilbert 


FALIJNG INTO TEMPTATION. 


87 


knew Mr. Allen’s sentiments towards him- 
self too well not to keep out of the way of 
being asked to ride again; hut he sought 
Philip’s society upon every occasion. The 
latter often wondered that Gilbert and he 
should meet so constantly, but did not suspect 
any design in these interviews; being at- 
tracted more and more by the society of Gil- 
bert, and of his friend, Mark Tapley, a boy 
who had lately come to Greenville, of the 
same stamp and character. 

One Wednesday, Mr. Allen sent word to 
Philip that he need not come to the Mansion 
House until evening;. Mrs. Preston had 
gone for the day to Mrs. Bond’s, and Nannie 
was at her friend Josie Curtis’s ; so Philip 
went out after his dinner, to seek some 
amusement. He had not gone far when he 
met Gilbert and Mark. They expressed 
much surprise at seeing him at so unusual a 


88 


THE SILVER LINING. 


time, and when he told them how it was, 
they rejoiced that he was at leisure. 

Gilbert had some fish in his hand, that he 
had just caught, and said he was on his way 
to Philip’s home, to leave them with his 
mother; so Philip asked them to go back 
with him. Arrived at the house, they re- 
mained a while, talking of various things, till 
Gilbert at last asked : — 

“ Did you have many purchases to make, 
yesterday morning, Philip ? ” 

“ Oh, yes, more than ever before, but I 
did not use up all my money.” 

This fact was just what Gilbert wished to 
know, and, after a few more words of com- 
pliment from his visitors, Philip brought out 
the large wallet, to show that he had spoken 
the truth. Gilbert took it, and, while he was 
looking it over, Mark called Philip’s attention 


FALLING INTO TEMPTATION. 


89 


to something else. When he received the 
wallet again, he did not know that there was 
one dollar less in it than before. 

Then the boys went out to walk, and, as 
Gilbert suggested that the wallet might be 
stolen if left behind, it was carried by Philip 
in his pocket. Soon after they came out of 
the house, Gilbert requested that a dollar bill 
of his own might he put into Philip’s wallet ; 
he being the only one of the three boys who 
was so favored as to possess one. Again 
Philip thought how wonderful it was that he 
should have what the others did not own. 
They went by the new restaurant into which 
Philip had never been ; the others had, and 
spoke so rapturously of the nice oysters that 
were there served every day, that he ex- 
pressed a wish to try them. Gilbert very 
generously insisted upon their all going in, 
and being treated at his expense. 


90 


THE SILVER LINING. 


The oysters were called for and eaten, and 
none were ever more enjoyed. The dollar 
that paid for them came from Phillip’s wal- 
let, but he fully believed that it was Gilbert’s 
own property, for had not the latter asked 
that it might be placed there for safe-keep- 
ing? Moreover, Mr. Smith, the keeper of 
the restaurant, saw Philip pay for the oysters, 
Gilbert and Mark passing out of the room, 
and waiting outside for their companion. 

Then the* boys sauntered about till their 
supper-time, when they separated. Philip, 
after eating his, went to Mr. Allen’s. The 
gentleman was engaged with company at 
first; but when his friends were gone, the 
account book was brought out, with the 
money remaining. Philip gave them up 
without a thought but all was right, and sat, 
drawing on a piece of paper, until he heard 
Mr. Allen say, — 


FALLING INTO TEMPTATION. 


91 


“You must have forgotten something, 
Philip; for there is one dollar unaccounted 
for.’’ 

Philip was confident he had not forgotten ; 
but the dollar was missing. He knew noth- 
ing concerning it, and he saw, with great 
sorrow, that Mr. Allen doubted his word. 
Philip did not know that a neighbor of Mr. 
Allen’s had that day expressed- his regret that 
Philip had for his chosen companion such a 
boy as Gilbert; and when Mr. Allen had 
indignantly denied any intimacy between the 
two, Mr. King had proved his statement by 
what he had daily seen. That very after- 
noon, too, he had ridden by Mrs. Preston’s 
house, as the three boys were coming out 
of it. 

Philip went to bed that night with a heavy 
heart ; and, when at breakfast, Mr. Allen 


92 


THE SILVER LINING. 


made the boy still more uncomfortable by his 
words, — 

“ I will do the errands myself to-day.” 

So things went on for two or three weeks. 
Philip was miserable. His mother saw that 
he was unhappy, as did Nannie also ; but 
her brother did not explain, and Mr. Allen 
ceased his visits at their house. One day 
Nannie was alone when Philip came in. He 
sat down near her without speaking, watch- 
ing her needle, as she was darning his socks. 
She glanced at him from time to time, till, at 
last, when she ' could bear his silence no 
longer, she asked, — 

“ What is the matter, Philip ? What has 
changed you so ? ” 

With great effort he told her all that had 
taken place ; keeping back nothing, not even 
the handling of the wallet by Gilbert. Her 


FALLING INTO TEMPTATION. 


93 


quick wit jumped to the conclusion that the 
latter had stolen the missing dollar. Philip 
could not at first think it possible ; but the 
more he thought of all the circumstances, 
the more he was convinced that his sister 
might be right in her conjectures. But there 
was no proof of Gilbert’s guilt, and Nannie 
confessed that appearances were very much 
against Philip. She was very sorry that he 
had not at first told Mr. Allen all the cir- 
cumstances, and urged her brother’s doing 
it now. Their mother came in while the 
children were talking, and, hearing the story, 
advised her son as his sister had done. 

As Mr. Allen had expressed his wishes so 
decidedly that Philip should not associate 
with Gilbert, Mrs. Preston saw at once that 
a free confession might serve only to preju- 
dice Mr. Allen still more against Philip ; 


94 


THE SILVER LINING. 


but she thought it was due to all parties that 
the gentleman should know the whole. 

So Philip, who had considerable courage 
when he had resolved upon any course of 
action, decided to do as his mother advised. 
There was to be no school the next day, so, 
immediately after breakfast, he set out upon 
his errand. He knew that he should find 
Mr. Allen at home and disengaged. Hester 
saw Philip coming. She had believed his 
story from the first, and she hoped, when 
he inquired for Mr. Allen, that the mystery 
was solved. The latter looked rather sur- 
prised when he saw the boy at so unusual an 
hour, and Philip thought Mr. Allen did not 
make it very easy for him to tell his story ; 
but without delay Philip said, — 

“ I think I ought to tell you, sir, that the 
day the dollar was lost, I was in company 


FALLING INTO TEMPTATION. 


95 


with Gilbert Powers and Mark Tapley. 
They questioned me in regard to my pur- 
chases for you, and I very foolishly let 
Gilbert take my wallet into his own hands. 
Afterwards, Gilbert asked me to let him put 
a dollar of his into the wallet. Then we 
went to the restaurant, and he ordered oysters 
for us three — asking me, when we had 
eaten them, to pay Mr. Smith ; but I thought 
I paid with Gilbert’s own money.” 

“ A very plausible story. Why did I not 
hear it before, Philip ? ” 

The boy colored, as much at the tone as 
at the words of Mr. Allen, and replied, I 
am sorry now I did not tell you the whole 
story at the time.” 

“ So am I sorry ; I might have believed 
you then. Now, how do I know but Gilbert 
has helped you make up this story ? I am 


96 


THE SILVER LINING. 


disappointed, not only for myself and you, 
but for your parents and Nannie. It is not 
the loss of the dollar that grieves me ; it is 
that I cannot trust you.’’ 

“ But, Mr. Allen,” said Philip, “ will you 
not let me do the errands just the same, — 
not pay for what I buy, but give the or- 
ders ? You will not believe my -word, and 
I know it is no more than I deserve for dis- 
obeying you ; but indeed I did not knowingly 
take or spend your money for myself.” 

Mr. Allen paused a moment. He thought 
it possible that Gilbert had stolen the money, 
although Philip had not directly named his 
suspicions. After talking the matter over 
more fully, Mr. Allen acceded to Philip’s 
request. He was pleased that so much was 
gained. Still happier did he feel when Mr. 
Allen invited him to remain to dinner. At 


FALLING INTO TEMPTATION. 


97 


the first opportunity Hester heard Philip’s 
story, and comforted him still more by her 
assurance, — “ All will come out right in the 
end.” 

Mr. Preston returned home the last of that 
same week, not entirely well, but growing 
stronger every day. His wife and Philip 
went to the station to meet him ; after what 
seemed to Nannie a long time, she saw her 
parents coming toward the house. Philip 
was some distance behind them ; he had his 
father’s baggage upon a wheelbarrow, and 
was obliged to stop occasionally to rest. 
Nannie opened the door wide, and soon was 
in her father’s arms. Many tears were shed 
by the two, and Mr. Preston said, as he 
glanced around their little room, — 

“ ‘ Home is home, if it is ever so homely 


7 


98 


THE SILVER LINING. 


I have longed so often to see it and your 
dear faces.” , ** 

“ Not more than we have wanted you to 
be here, father,” replied Nannie ; “ we have 
missed you all the time.” 

Philip now came in ; conversation did not 
flag, hut before bedtime Mr. Preston was 
acquainted with most that had taken place in 
his absence. His son did not keep back any 
circumstance, and his father was as confident 
as Hester had been, that Philip’s entire inno- 
cence of any crime would yet be established. 

The next afternoon Mr. Allen called to 
see Mr. Preston ; Nannie and he were alone, 
for she had declined an invitation to her 
friend Josie’s, preferring to remain at home 
with her father. Mr. Allen rapped upon the 
door and then entered the room without 
waiting for any one to admit him. Nannie 


FALLING INTO TEMPTATION. 


99 


was sitting upon a low cricket by her father’s 
side, talking very eagerly, and as Mr. Allen 
saw her bright face, he almost envied the 
sick man his treasure. But the visitor did 
not express his thoughts, for Nannie, as soon 
as she saw him, seized her crutch, and walk- 
ing as^ rapidly as she could toward him, 
placed a chair for him, and then resumed her 
own seat. She did not say much herself, 
but leaned her head on her father’s knee ; 
for aside from her great pleasure in Mr. Al- 
len’s calling upon her father, she rejoiced in 
the call as an evidence that Philip had some- 
what regained his place in his employer’s 
heart. 

Mr. Allen appeared surprised at the cheer- 
ful words and manner of Mr. Preston ; lie 
had evidently come to condole with the inva- 
lid upon his misfortune ; but condolence was 


100 


THE SILVER LINING. 


not what he wanted. Thanksgiving seemed 
rather to he the language of his heart, for 
more than once he said, — 

“ It seems wonderful to me that my life 
was spared, when there was only a step be- 
tween me and death. I can only praise God 
for his kind care over me.” 

Mr. Allen, in reply, said, “ But you 
must have suffered great pain and been very 
anxious for your family.” 

The answer of Mr. Preston was, “ Yes, I 
did have much pain, but I could not com- 
plain ; my life was spared, and I had the best 
of care in the hospital. My wife and chil- 
dren ” — here the sick man’s eyes filled with 
tears, but wiping them away he went on to 
say, “ I knew God would take care of them, 
and I want to thank you, sir, for all your 
kindness to them ; God will reward you.” 


FALLING INTO TEMPTATION. 101 


“I am not so sure of that,” was Mr. Allen’s 
reply ; and, as Nannie looked up at him with 
the gaze he remembered so well, he added, 
“ I was attracted at first by your child ; I 
understand now from whence came her cheer- 
ful spirit ; I wish you could impart it me.” 

But his light manner was sobered, as Mr. 
Preston replied, “No human teacher has 
taught her or me ; the same heavenly Friend 
will show you the way if you ask him.” 

Mr. Allen did not reply in a scornful man- 
ner, as he sometimes did to a religious re- 
mark. The humility and sincerity of the 
person who had addressed' him were too ap- 
parent for this ; but he turned the subject as 
soon as he could, and when he left Mr. Pres- 
ton, promised him as soon as he was well 
enough to work, all he could do. 


CHAPTER VI. 


USE OF TRIAL. 

Esteeming Sorrow, whose employ 
Is to develop, not destroy. 

Far better than a barren joy.” 

Milnes. 

B efore Mr. Preston was entirely 
well his son’s innocence was fully 
established. Mr. Allen had been as 
desirous as any one to have it proved ; but 
trouble of various kinds had made him sus- 
picious of all persons in his employ. Nan- 
nie, however, had interested him from the 
first, and Philip too ; so that after his con- 
fession Mr. Allen had gone to the restaurant 
(102) 


USE OF TRIAL. 


103 


to see its proprietor. Mr. Smith remem- 
bered the three boys perfectly, and the 
superiority of Philip over his companions ; 
but he said that Philip had paid for the 
oysters, the other two going to the door as 
if they had no concern in the transaction. 

The only thing Mr, Smith mentioned at 
all encouraging, was, that Gilbert and Mark 
had appeared much pleased, shouting and 
laughing in a most uproarious manner, so 
that when Philip joined them, Mr. Smith 
heard the former say to his companions, — 
“ What is the matter ? one would think 
you had seen something very amusing,” 
and one had replied, — 

“We think we have,” and then the three 
boys passed out of Mr. Smith’s sight and 
hearing. 

But a week or two later, Henry Butler, 


104 


THE SILVER LINING. 


who was employed in Mr. Martyn’s store, 
was talking with Gilbert and Mark. The 
friends when they knew the gentleman was 
gone to supper, often came in, although 
Henry disliked them both. Now they were 
standing by the stove when Philip entered. 
He colored when he saw them, for he had 
avoided them for many weeks. 

Besides, he did not wish them to see that 
he now gave orders at the store without 
paying for the articles. There was, how- 
ever, nothing to be done but to perform 
his errands, and filling his large baskef 
with the packages, he was off as soon as 
possible. 

The boys were quiet while Philip re- 
mained in the store ; but Henry as he 
turned away from the counter after his 
customer had left, heard Mark say, — 


USE OF TRIAL. 


105 


‘‘ The young man does not appear so 
important as he did. Where can his large 
wallet be ? ” 

Gilbert replied, “I do not know, but I 
should have been better satisfied if old 
Allen had turned Philip off. I wish, while 
I was about it, I had made the wallet still 
lighter.’’ 

The boys talked longer, but nothing more 
definite was said at that time ; a week or two 
later, when Philip (?ame into the store, Mark 
was there again. After Philip’s departure, 
Henry, — who with a very quiet manner 
generally succeeded in finding out what he 
wished to know, — turned the conversation 
upon Philip, and the change in his mode of 
buying. 

Mark was not very iar-sighted, so he was 
easily deceived, and finally told, as a very 


106 


THE SILVER LINING. 


good joke, liis share in tlie transaction.' 
Henry was a iripliew of Hester’s, and had 
heard from her all about the missing money 
and the blame attached to Philip. 

Gilbert and Mark were no favorites of 
either nephew or aunt ; so in the evening, 
when the store was closed, Henry went to 
the Mansion House to see his aunt. After 
hearing what he had to communicate, she 
took him into the library, and Mr. Allen 
was told the same story. Philip then was 
sent for, and he came into the room anxious 
to know why he was summoned at so late 
an hour; but his anxiety was turned into 
joy when he heard Henry’s account. 

No one could have been more pleased 
than Mr. Allen appeared to be at the re- 
sult, and he expressed his satisfaction by 
saying to Philip, — 


USE OF TRIAL. 


107 


“ It was hard for me to think you were 
a thief, but I had been so often deceived 
in those whom I have trusted, that I feared 
v^u were no better.” 

Then, turning to Henry Butler, the gen- 
tleman said, — 

“We all thank you very much for the 
tact you have displayed, and I shall not soon 
forget it.” 

Henry said he had been well rewarded 
by seeing 'Philip’s innocence proved, hut he 
thought Gilbert and Mark should suffer. 
Mr. Allen agreed with him ; said he had al- 
ready determined that they should be ar- 
rested and punished ; but Philip pleaded so 
earnestly for them that Mr, Allen at last 
decided otherwise. 

Nannie’s bright eyes grew brighter the 


108 


THE SILVER LINING. 


next day, when she saw Philip with Mr. 
Allen enter the house. Tears dimmed the 
lustre of the eyes, however, as she heard 
what news they had gome to tell. The 
gentleman said he wished the little family 
to celebrate the occasion, and insisted upon 
Nannie’s accepting a five dollar bill from 
him to purchase a thanksgiving dinner 
with ; for although it was the middle of 
April, he thought they would all feel like 
rejoicing. 

Mrs. Preston thanked him heartily for 
his well-meant kindness ; at the same time 
she thought how little he understood a moth- 
er’s gratitude that her son’s character was 
wholly cleared from any suspicion of guilt. 
Imprudent she considered him still, but he 
was not a thief ; and with all her heart 
she thanked God for this great blessing. 


USE OF TRIAL. 


109 


Philip, too, had suffered enough to make 
him feel his own liability to go astray ; and 
when his father repeated the verse, — “ Let 
him that thinketh he standeth, take heed 
lest he fall,” — the boy asked with great in- 
terest, — > 

“ Do you suppose, father, that the chil- 
dren who lived when the apostles did, were 
tempted to do wrong, as the boys and girls 
are now ? ” 

“ Undoubtedly, my son ; for in the same 
chapter from whence I quoted the former 
passage, St. Paul says, ‘ There hath no 
temptation taken you but such as is common 
to man.’ Then, too, the Bible tells us ‘ That 
the heart is deceitful above all things, and 
desperately wicked ; ’ so I am sure that the 
apostle spoke from observation as well as ex- 
perience.” 


110 


THE SILVER LINING. 


‘‘ Do you think, father,” asked Nannie, 
“ that any of the children were lame like 
me ? ” 

“ Oh, yes, Nannie ; you remember the 
man who W’as laid every day at the gate of 
the temple called ‘ Beautiful.’ The narrative 
says that he had been lame all his life long, 
so he must have been so when he was a 
child.” 

“ I guess he was glad when he was cured ; 
I am sure I should he.” 

Then, seeing her father’s sorrowful look, 
she went on to say, “ But I do not mean to 
complain. Mr. Allen said to-day that per- 
haps he should never have known anything 
about Philip, if he had not seen and pitied 
me because I was lame. So, you see, even 
lame people are good for something.” 

“I see more than that, Nannie, — that 


USE OF TRIAL. 


Ill 


events which we call unfortunate oftentimes 
prove our greatest blessings.” 

Nannie hardly heard the last remark, for 
she had gone into the kitchen and was dis- 
cussing with her mother their Thanksgiving 
dinner. The family had not of late lived 
very luxuriously, for Mr. Preston must have 
nourishing food, and the others often denied 
themselves for his sake. Philip made up for 
his abstinence at Mr. Allen’s, while Nannie 
and her mother were only too glad to have 
their invalid at home once more to find fault. 

But this dinner ! Those who fare sump- 
tuously every day little know what a pleas- 
ure this meal was all the way through ; firstly, 
the deciding of what it should consist, then 
the cooking, and lastly, the eating of it. 
Philip was very desirous to ask Hester and 
Henry to share it with them^. His mother 


112 


THE SILVER LINING. 


hesitated about Hester, knowing how differ- 
ently they lived at Mr. Allen’s, but Philip 
was sure she would like to come. When he 
found his mother still demurred, he at last 
confessed that, boy-like, he had invited Hes- 
ter to come sometime and see his home. So 
finally, Mrs. Preston said “ Yes,” and Nan- 
nie clapped her hands for joy at the decision. 

She was a little sobered, however, when 
her father suggested that perhaps Mr. Allen 
could not spare Hester. Philip thought 
there would be no objection to her coming, 
and after school at night he went to give^ his 
invitations. He returned as excited as Nan- 
nie had been, saying, — 

“ Oh, mother, Hester said she should like 
to come, and when she asked Mr. Allen if 
it would be convenient for her to leave home 
to-morrow,” he replied, “ there was nothing 
to prevent her doing so.” 


USE OF TRIAL. 


113 


“ And what did Henry say ? ” 

‘‘ Oh, he was pleased, I can tell you ; he 
said he had never been invited anywhere 
since he came to Greenville, and he should 
be sure to come.” 

The Preston family all retired soon that 
evening, as Mrs. Preston said they must be 
up very early the next morning. There was 
a great deal to be done to get ready for their 
guests ; so breakfast was only a secondary 
thing with any of them. The next day win- 
dows were to be washed ; Philip undertook 
them, but his mother had many directions to 
give him. Their rooms must be thoroughly 
swept and dusted; the latter Nannie was 
glad to do. It was a slow process, but every 
round of the chairs and all the legs of the 
tables were made as free from dust as they 
could be. Mr. Preston prepared the vege- 
s 


114 


THE SILVER LINING. 


tables, his wife roasted the meat, and did a 
great many other things beside. 

When Hester arrived she expressed great 
delight with the appearance of everything ; 
the rooms were all small, but as neat as wax- 
work; the table was laid for dinner; the 
cloth coarse, but white as snow, and every 
article of food perfect of its kind. This made 
Hester think of her early home among the 
New Hampshire hills, and as the family 
seated themselves around the table, and Mr. 
Preston, with a simple, reverent manner, 
asked for a blessing from the Giver of every 
good and perfect gift, the tears came into her 
eyes, for the old man, her father (who had 
long since entered into his rest), rose up be- 
fore her, and she felt almost a child again. 

Henry, too, was attracted by all that he 
saw and heard ; his mother was a Christian 


USE OF TRIAL. 


115 


woman, but his father, sad to say, was any^ 
thing but a protector to his wife and chil- 
dren. He had long been intemperate, and 
Henry had never known what a happy child- 
hood was. 

Nannie had forgotten all that had ever 
troubled her ;• she said she was too happy to 
eat, but she managed notwithstanding to 
make way with a large quantity of food, 
Philip, with every mouthful, rejoiced in his 
exculpation, while his parents, pleased at see- 
ing their children and guests so happy, and 
having so many causes for thanksgiving 
themselves, made melody in their hearts to 
the Lord for hi^ abundant mercies toward 
them. 

For their dessert Hester had sent by Philip 
a large basket of Roxbury russets. Such 
large and luscious apples, one’s mouth wa- 
tered, only to look at them ! 


116 THE SILVER LINING. 

\ 

Before the company separated, Mr. Pres- 
ton asked that his favorite hymn might he 
sung ; so all joined him in singing, — 

“ Through all the changing scenes of life, 

In trouble, and in joy, 

The praises of my God shall still 
My heart and tongue employ. 


“ Oh ! magnify the Lord with me. 

With me exalt his name; 

When in distress, to him I called, — 

He to my rescue came. 

“ Oh ! make but trial of his love I 
Experience will decide 
How blest are they, and only they. 

Who in his truth confide.” 

The five dollars furnished a good many 
thanksgiving dinners for the little family ; 
they were not all of so elaborate a character 
as the first one, hut were every oru» evjoyc/d . 
Before they were all eaten, Mr. Prcistou went 


USE OF TRIAL. 


117 


to the Mansion House to work at his trade. 
The stable needed shingling, and Ke was to 
take his own time to do it. Many days were 
occupied in this way ; then a closet was 
needed in the kitchen. One thing after 
another was given him to do, Mr. Allen pay- 
ing generously for all. 

But Mr. Preston grieved to notice how 
unhappy his employer seemed ; unless he was 
employed in some active manner, he was 
evidently miserable. One evening, after Mr. 
Preston had returned home, he remarked 
upon it to his wife. 

“ Yes,” replied she, Hester told me all 
about him, the day she was here. Poor man ! 
he has had enough to make him sad. When 
she first went to live at the Mansion House, 
Mrs. Allen w^as living, and a beautiful wo- 
man she was. A real Christian, Hester says. 


118 


THE SILVER LINING. 


slie was, if ever there were one. Their three 
children were then at home, — two sons and 
a daughter, — and their father idolized them. 
He had denied them nothing while they were 
children, and, as might have been expected, 
when they grew up, they sought only their 
own pleasure. The daughter married against 
his wishes, and he has nothing to do with 
her. The youngest son, the most promising, 
was drowned when he was twenty-one years 
old; and the older one — his father knows 
nothing concerning him ; he has been gone 
from his home more than eight years ; they 
suppose he is not living. Mrs. Allen died in 
consumption three years since, and her hus- 
band is a most unhappy man. Hester said, 
also, that she was so glad to have him take 
to Nannie; he loves children very much, 
and admires to talk about her.” 


USE OF TRIAL. 


119 


‘^Yes,” replied Mr. Preston, “he spoke 
of her to me to-day, and asked me to bring 
her with me the next time I came to the 
house. He said he envied ^er her light 
heart, and freedom from all care.” 

“ W ell, he is to be pitied ; I wish he knew 
where to go for comfort; Nannie is wiser 
than he in that respect. I often hear her 
praying for him ; for he appears to have won 
a very large place in her heart, and she knows 
and sees he is unhappy.” 


CHAPTER VII. 


DOING GOOD. 

“ All things do serve Thee here, 

All creatures great and small ; 

Make use of me, of me, my God, 

The weakest of them all.” 

Bonar. 

WEEK or two later Philip came 
home with the intellioience of Mr. 
Allen’s sickness. Hester came to 
see them the same day at Mr. Allen’s re- 
quest. He was not ^ dangerously ill, but 
confined to the house with a slow fever, and 
that morning he had expressed a strong de- 
sire to have Nannie come and stay a few 
( 120 ) 



DOING GOOD. 


121 


days with him. Hester said to Mrs. Pres- 
ton, — 

“ I hope you will let her come, ma’am, 
for I think she can do him a great deal of 
good, and we’ll do all we can to make her 
feel at home.” 

Nannie had never received an invitation 
to stay away all night before. She was not 
quite sure she wished to accept of it ; but 
Mr. Allen had been to her a very kind 
friend, and she thought it would not do to re- 
fuse to gratify him. Beside the words 
“ doing good ” had fallen upon her ears, and 
she remembered her mother’s words, — 

“ When we have been faithful to God 
in little things, he often opens the door so 
that we can serve him in the greater.” 

Nannie recalled, also, the chapter she had 
read in the Bible, that morning, concerning 


122 


THE SILVER LINING. 


Jonah, and what her father had told her 
of the prophet’s fleeing from his duty. She 
was still thinking when Hester asked, — 

“ Will you go, Nannie? ” 

The child looked at her mother, who 
asked in her turn, “ Do you wish to go ? ” 
Nannie still hesitated, hut replied, “ I wish 
you were going too, mother; then I would be 
glad to go.” 

Mrs. Preston and Hester both smiled at 
the child’s answer, it was so natural a one ; 
but after more talking, Nannie concluded 
to accompany Hester, as she assured Nannie 
she might return home any hour she desired. 
It did not take long for Mrs. Preston to put 
in a travelling-bag what her child would 
need of her little wardrobe. Philip was to 
carry Hester home at noon; but when the boy 
came for her, he was surprised to find his 


DOING GOOD. 


123 


sister all dressed to accompany them. Nan- 
nie had many words of good-hy to exchange 
with her parents, so that Philip’s patience 
was nearly exhausted, but Hester would not 
allow him to hurry his sister. Her mother 
whispered as she kissed her cliild the last 
time, — 

“ Do not be afraid to speak a word for 
Jesus, if you have opportunity.” 

Nannie was received with great affection 
by Mr. Allen ; and her companions, as they 
saw his look of pleasure, were glad enough 
that she had come. Hester smiled more 
than once, as she went in and out of the 
room, to see the little maiden’s air of impor- 
tance ; yet there was nothing offensive about 
it : it seemed to be more that she had come 
to be a help to her friend, than to be treated 
as a visitor. Mr. Allen did not talk much, 


124 


THE SILVER LINING. 


but he watched her as she stepped about ; 
stopping now and then to look at a picture 
or a book, or to stroke the kitten as she lay 
asleep on the window-seat. 

Some painful thoughts intruded them- 
selves upon his mind, as he remembered a 
little girl who once, the light of his eyes, was 
an occupant of that same room. But he tried 
to banish these reflections as fast as they came. 
Nannie could not read his thoughts, only she 
knew they were sad ones ; so, after glancing 
at him more than once, she in a low whisper 
asked Hester a question. She nodded assent, 
and Nannie going toward Mr. Allen, asked 
him, — 

“ Should you like to have me brush your 
hair? it is good for the headache.” 

He smiled as he replied, “ Oh, yes, indeed, 
anything that you do will make me feel * 
better.” 


DOING GOOD. 


125 


So the brush was taken from the drawer, 
and for fifteen minutes, Nannie was very 
happy in her labor of love. Then, seating 
lierself on a low ottoman beside him, she 
commenced sino-ino; these words, — 

“ How sweet the name of Jesus sounds 
In a believer’s ear! 

It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds 
And drives away his fears. 

“ It makes the wounded spirit whole, ^ 

And calms the troubled breast; 

’Tis manna to the hungry soul. 

And, to the weary, rest.” 

I 

The words and tune had, in other years, 
been familiar to Mr. Allen, and after th^ 
child had finished singing, he hummed them 
in a low tone of voice to himself. But the 
ear of the believer was not his, else that 
Blessed Name had brought peace and joy 


126 


THE SILVER LINING. 


to his troubled spirit. Eest for the weary 
and heavy-laden, he needed; but it comes 
only to those who seek for it with the whole 
heart. 

She continued singing, however, and 
it was not long before Nannie glanced up 
in her friend’s face, and saw that a change 
had passed over it. Happy thoughts had 
taken the place of the sad ones; and in 
her way she had already done some 
good. 

His supper, for he ate but little, was 
laid upon the small round table in his 
sitting-room, and Nannie took hers with 
him. Hester waited upon them, and Mr. 
Allen and she both noticed the child, as, 
lowering her head, she closed her eyes 
for a few moments before eating. 

All through the meal she was merry 


DOING GOOD. 


127 


as a cricket. Mr. Allen laughed aloud 
more than once at her quaint remarks. 
He, also, ate far more than usual, and 
Hester reported in the kitchen that Nan- 
nie had done him a world of good al 
ready. 

When Hester came again to the sitting- 
room, she found the talk was still going 
on ; Nannie was speaking of her home, 
and Mr. Allen asking questions concern- 
ing it. But when he saw Hester, he sent 
her out with Nannie for a breath of fresh 
air before bedtime. 

r 

When they returned, Nannie went into 
his room to kiss him good-night. She 
looked a little sober, but would not own 
she was homesick. Hester suspected she 
was a little so, and the girl undressed 
Nannie very carefully, that in sleep she 


128 


THE SILVER LINING. 


might forget she was absent from her 
mother. 

The next morning, Nannie breakfasted 
with the servants, and soon after went 
out with the gardener in the sleigh. She 
had occasion over and over for her oft- 
repeated remark, — 

“ Every one is so kind to me.” 

John had liked Philip from the first ; 
but when he saw the little girl and found 
she was lame, dependent upon her crutch 
in every step she took, he at first looked 
at her with pity only. But before their 
ride was over he forgot all her misfor- 
tune, or, if he remembered it, ceased to 
regard it as such. 

Every object they passed appeared to 
give his companion pleasure : the pure 
white snow, the beautiful clouds and sky, 


DOING GOOD. 


129 


the dear little birds, she saw and admired 
them ail. His errand was to a green- 
house two or three miles away. It was 
the first one Nannie had ever visited, and 
her astonishment was great to see oranges 
and lemons growing upon little ti'ees, 
while around them, upon every side, were 
rare and beautiful flowers. John brought 
a chair and placing it where Nannie 
could have the best view of all, he left 
her for an half hour alone. It seemed 
like fairy-land to the child ; her oniy re- 
gret was, that her mother and Philip 
were not there to share her joy. Two 
or three canary birds, in cages, were sing- 
ing merrily, and she could not help sing- 
ing, too. 

When John and Mr. Page returned, 
they paused on the threshold to listen to 


130 


THE SILVER LINING. 


the music. All inside were joining in the 
concert, and, going in, Mr. Page asked 
Nannie, — 

“ Will you not stay here all the time 
and teach my birds your song ? ” 

Nannie looked as if she would like to 
please the gentleman, if she could do so, 
but her answer was, — 

“ If I stay, I should like to be the 
learner, for their songs are a great deal 
sweeter than mine.” 

She did not decline his second invita- 
tion, which was, “ Will you carry home 
some flowers, if I will give them to 
you?” 

Her answer was not only given in 
words, but her eyes sparkled with joy at 
the very idea. He knew, as he saw her 
delighted countenance, that he was confer- 


DOING GOOD. 


131 


ring rare pleasure upon one whose enjoy- 
ments were few. He called her to ac- 
company him, and she watched him ea- 

V 

gerly as with lavish hand he cut both 
buds and blossoms. They were all placed 
in a box to protect them from the cold 
without, and it would have been hard 
to tell whether the giver or the receiver 
was the happier of the two. 

When they returned home, Nannie asked 
Hester for a vase in which to put her 
treasures ; and as Mr. Allen was all ready 
to see her, she went as fast as she could 
to his room. Hester carried the flowers, 
and John went with them to inform Mr. 
Allen of his success. The child held back 
until ^ohn had finishe'd, and then ad- 
vancing she came close to Mr. Allen, 
and with much affection kissed him bn 


132 


THE SILVER LINING. 


both cheeks; told him how charming her 
ride had been, and giving him the histo- 
ry of her bouquet, put it upon the little 
table where they could both sec it. 

While talking, she remembered she had 
not read in her Bible that day ; so, as 
soon as she could, she went for it. Mr. 
Allen was reading the newspaper when 
she returned, and she curled herself up 
on the window-seat to read her chapter., 
Before she was through, he laid his pa- 
per down ; once she glanced up at him 
and found he was looking at her; but 
as he did not speak, she read on. She 
wished to read aloud, but did not dare 
to do so unasked; when she closed her 
book, Mr. Allen called her to him, and 
finding how few books she owned, sent 
Hester to the library with her. Nannie 


DOING GOOD. 


133 


soon came back with her arms full. One 
of the books she brought was full of 
pictures, and seating herself close beside 
him, she coaxed him to look at them with 
her. 

After dinner, Mr. Allen was left alone for 
a long najj ; but, by three o’clock, Nannie 
was with him again. She had become much 
interested in one of her books, and had it in 
her hand wdien she returned. She repeated 
to him the story ; and, as she opened the 
book to finish it, her eye fell upon a name 
written within it. It Avas 

\ “ Sophia H. Allen. 

“ From her affectionate father.” 

At first, Nannie read the name to herself ; 
then, speaking it aloud, she asked, — 

“ Who was ‘ Sophia H. Allen ? ’ ” 

She did not see the frown upon Mr. 


134 


THE SILVER LINING. 


Allen’s brow, nor notice liis embarrassment, 
as he replied, — 

“ She was my daughter.” 

“ Your daughter ! Where is she now ? 
Is she dead ? ” 

“ No ; she is living ; but she does not' 
come home now.” 

‘‘Not come home? Is that what makes 
you so sorry all the time ? ” 

She was too unsuspicious to know the pain 
her every word caused ; but, looking up into 
Mr. Allen’s face, she saw the grieved look of 
the evening before. Laying her hand 
upon his, she asked him, — 

“ Did you ever tell Jesus how sorry you 
were ? ” 

He did not reply ; so she went on, — 

“ I used to be sorry I was made lame, so 
that I could not run hke Philip ; and I 


DOING GOOD. 


135 


asked my mother to beg Jesus to cure me. 
We both asked him. He did not take away 
my lameness, but I am sure he heard our 
prayer ; for I am willing to be lame all my 
life, if he thinks best ; so, if you tell Jesus 
your troubles, perhaps he will let your little 
girl come home again.’’ 

“ But, Nannie, she is not a little girl now ; 
and when she went away she knew very 
well that I never could forgive her.” 

“ Never forgive her ! Then our heavenly 
Father would not hear you, if you should 
pray to him. He only hears when we for- 
give.” 

“ How do you know ? ” 

“ Oh, the Bible says so. I can find the 
verses for you.” 

Nannie seemed so much in earnest that 
Mr. Allen did not seek to prevent her from 
finding and reading these words : — 


136 


THE SILVER LINING. 


“ And when ye stand praying, forgive, if 
ye have aught against any, that your Father 
also, which is in heaven, may forgive you 
your trespasses. 

‘•But, if ye do not forgive, neither will 
your Father which is in heaven forgive your 
trespasses.” ' 

It was evidently a new idea to the father 
that any duty was neglected by him. He 
had thought his daughter wanting in affec- 
tion for him and respect for his known com- 
mands, but considered that he himself had 
fulfilled every requirement. He had not 
hesitated to murmur against God for his 
dealings with him ; but Nannie’s few words 
had led Mr. Allen to see his heart in the 
light of God’s Word. There was no for- 
giveness of his child yet; still he thought 
more of her that day than he had for long 


DOING GOOD. 


137 


years before. Memory went back to the 
time when she was only a child, and had 
been his pet and plaything; and as Nannie- 
continued to ask questions concerning So- 
phia, he told her all she desired to know. 

Hester came in while they were talking. 
She started when she heard of what Nannie 
was speaking; for none of the household, 
since Mrs. Allen’s death, had dared mention 
the daughter to the father. Hester knew 
that Mrs. Allen, previously to her death, 
had sought to reconcile the two ; but without 
success, save that a letter the mother had 
written was sent to Mrs. Willis. But the 
housekeeper could have told of many sleep- 
less nights passed by Mr. Allen ; and she 
often prayed that God would soften his hard 
heart. 

Soon after dinner, the rain began to fall ; 


138 


THE SILVER LINING. 


but Nannie, althougb disappointed in a walk 
she had expected to take with Hester, was 
not without occupation. Her beautiful flow- 
ers had not lost their charms for her; and 
with^ her slate and pencil, she tried to copy 
them, singing as she drew. 

She seemed so satisfied that Mr. Allen 
finally asked her, — 

“Do you never wish for anything you 
cannot have ? ’’ 

“ Oh, yes, indeed, sometimes I do.” 

“ Well, what should you like now to 
make you very happy ? ” 

“ I am very happy, sir.” 

“ Does Philip still wish for things he can- 
not have ? ” 

Nannie turned round so that she could 
look directly into Mr. Allen’s face ; and, as 
he smiled very plesaantly, she replied, — 


DOING GOOD. 


139 


“ He is almost always wishing for some 
tiling. Mother says she never saw such a 
boy.” 

“But I mean, what great thing does he 
think of? Almost all boys have some plan 
for the future.” 

Nannie still hesitated; but, in a moment 
more, she said, — 

“Philip hopes when he is a man to be 
rich and famous ; but he cannot see any way 
to.- begin, — nor I, either. We need all our 
money for our food and clothes ; for he does 
grow so fast. Mother would rather he 
would be a clergyman than anything else. 
So had I ; for I should like to be the sister 
of a minister.” 

“ Why so ? ” asked Mr. Allen, much 
amused at Nannie’s ambitious desires. 


“ Oh, because ” 


140 


THE SILVER LINING. 


Wliat she was going to say Mr. Allen did 
not find out, for just then Philip entered. 
Before his sister knew he was in the room, 
he had his arm around her neck. She started 
up, forgetting her crutch. Philip, however, 
supported her ; and the two children forgot, 
in their delight, that any one else was near. 

Then Philip and Mr. Allen talked for a 
while, balancing accounts, and laying plans 
for the next day. Nannie was very proud 
of Philip, as he stood by the side of Mr. Al- 
len, and she thought he had a very efiicient 
helper. When the two had finished all their 
business, Nannie had many inquiries to make 
of Philip concerning their home. 

He answered them all apparently to her 
satisfaction ; but she looked sober as he 
added, — 

“ Mother told me to tell you that the days 
seemed very long without you.” 


DOING GOOD. 


141 


“ I should like to see her, and my father, 
too ; I dreamed of them last night, and 
when I awoke this morning I wished I was at 
home.” 

While they were talking they were sum- 
moned to the tea-table. Philip smiled to see 
how Hester heaped their plates with all she 
thought they would like. They ate as those 
do who are not accustomed to such great 
variety, and yet Mr. Allen wondered at 
their propriety of behavior. He had thought 
that rich people only could teach their chil- 
dren how to be polite. 

But Mrs. Preston was one of a class of 
whom he had seen few. With slight early 
advantages herself, she had ever sought to 
teach her children the great law of love ; 
knowing if that were fully impressed upon 
their hearts, they would be an honor and 
blessing to society. 


142 


THE SILVER LINING. 


Nannie had been an apt pupil : lier in- 
firmity had prevented her associating much 
with other children, and she instinctively 
shrank from any who were not refined. 
Philip was of so active a temperament that 
he was always forming new acquaintances ; 
hut he generally chose the best for his inti- 
mate friends. 

Mr. Allen, as he gazed upon his visitors, 
thought of other children who had sat at his 
table in bygone years. He had learned 
wisdom, and he was sure that the privations 
to which Philip and Nannie had been exposed 
in their earlier years would not fail to be of 
use to them. For the first time, he began 
to realize that his system of educating his 
children had been a wrong one. Thoroughly 
selfish it was proven to be, and he vainly 
wdshed that he could live over his life again. 


DOING GOOD. 


143 


Once in a while, that evening, came this 
thought to him, — 

“ What more could I have expected of 
my daughter than that she should please 
herself? ” 

This was not an acjreeable thought to him ; 

O O'' 

but he could not drive it away. It is never 
' pleasant to discover our faults; but no one 
repents of them while they remain hidden 
from his sight. 

Philip had his lessons to learn, so was quiet 
for the next hour ; but when he laid his 
books down, Mr. Allen asked him, — 

“ What do you like best to do, Philip ? ” 

‘‘ Do you mean work, or play, sir?” 

“ I mean anything you enjoy.” 

“ I can hardly say, sir. I am very fond 
of horses, and like to be on Hero’s back more 
than I can tell ; but, if anything, I enjoy 


144 


THE SILVER LINING. 


going to the steam mill even better. Father 
says the more wheels and noise there are in 
any place, the happier I am. Then, too, I 
love dearly to read ; for I wish to know a 
great deal when I am a man.’’ 

“ You are in a fair way for it, — are you 
not ? ” 

“ Sometimes I hope I am ; but often I 
am almost discouraged, there is so much to 
learn.” 

Have not I heard you say you wanted 
to be a rich man, Philip ? ” 

“ Yes, sir, often and often ; but my teacher 
says riches alone are poor property.” 

“ He is right. How old are you, Philip ? ” 
“ Almost sixteen, sir.” 

“ Have you any money laid by ? ” 

“ Only a little, — five dollars in the sav- 


DOING GOOD. 


145 


“ I have one,” said Nannie, “ which 
Philip can have, if he wants it.” 

“ Ah,” said Mr. Allen, “ where did you 
get yours ? ” 

“ I earned it, little by little ; but I can 
earn more, I know.” 

Mr. Allen smiled at her confident way of 
speaking ; but he did not know how many 
beautiful things she had planned to purchase 
with this same dollar, nor the sacrifice it was 
to her to relinquish it even in thought. Had 
he done so, he would have told her it would 
not be necessary. 

When morning came he called Nannie to 
him, saying, “ Should you like to go home with 
Philip, and, after dinner, return here again 
with your father ? That is,” he added, “ if 
you are not tired of comforting an old man 
lilie me.” 


10 


146 


THE SILVER LINING. 


“Yes, indeed; that will be charming.. 
Am I really a comfort to you, Mr. Allen ? 

“You are really all I have left.” 

“ But you never have tried dear J esus : 
he loves you far better than I can.” 

When Mr. Allen was alone, he saw that 
Nannie had left her Bible ; taking it up, 
he opened it. His eye rested upon these 
words, — 

“ Peace I leave with you, my peace I give 
unto you.” 

He could not shake off the impression 
these words made upon his heart. Peace 
he knew nothing of ; but he could see that 
his visitor, child as she was, possessed some- 
thing that he, with all his riches, had never 
known. 


CHAPTER VIII. 


FORGIVENESS. 


“ God does not send graces as he sends light and rain. 
They are wrought in us by long days of discipline and 
growth.” Beecher. 


ANNIE arrived home just as her 
father was going out ; but when he 
saw his child, he lifted her from the 
sleigh and carried her into the house. Her 
mother was as much surprised as Nannie had 
hoped she would be. But Nannie wondered 
what made the rooms look so small ; and the 
parlor-carpet so worn and dingy. She did 
not speak her thoughts, hut her mother 

( 147 ) 



148 


THE SILVER LINING. 


guessed some of them before the forenoon 
was gone. 

For at the dinner-table Nannie appeared 
like a petted child, hardly tasting of anything 
given her, and more than once contrasting 
the plain food before her with the luxurious 
livinfi* at the Mansion House. Mrs. Preston 

O 

regretted her child’s promise to go away 
again, for she saw that Mr. Allen’s words of 
commendation had led Nannie to trust in 
herself, rather than in the source of all 
strength. The mother’s words of caution 
fell almost unheeded upon the ears of Nannie, 
for she thought she was strong enough with- 
out them. 

But when she came to say good-by, it was 
harder than she had anticipated it would be, 
and she was glad no one but her father could 
see how red her eyes were. The fresh air 


FORGIVENESS. 


149 


and the good sleighing were alike favorable ; 
so that long before she reached Mr. Allen’s 
she had recovered her spirits. He was all 
ready to see her father, and Nannie listened 
while the others talked. 

Mr. Allen had long wished that Philij, 
might go away to school ; for he felt that 
whatever the boy’s future employment might 
be, the change would be of great benefit to 
him. He urged Mr. Preston to give his con- 
sent to the plan ; and the father, while he 
appreciated the kindness of Mr. Allen, only 
hesitated because he feared what the effect 
might be upon Philip. 

“ I thank you very much for your kind 
offer, sir, but I must think longer of it before 
I can say yes.” 

With this reply, Mr. Allen was obliged to 
be content ; but he spoke freely of his own 


f 


150 TH^; SILVER LINING. 

cliildren, and of liis disappointed hopes con- 
cerning them. He showed, also, to his com- 
panion, that his heart was not wholly at ease. 

Mr. Allen listened politely to Mr. Preston’s 
reply, if he did not believe it, — 

“You have had a very trying experience, 
sir, but our heavenly Father loves us, while 
He is afflicting us : He means it all for our 
good.” 

Then Mr. Preston went away, and after 
tea, some friends of Mr. Allen came in to 
see him. Nannie was not pleased to be set 
aside, indeed she felt a little cross, when he 
told her she had better go to Hester for 
a while. Hester was not to be found, 
only Jane the chambermaid was at home, 
and she never had been a favorite with Nan- 
nie. So Nannie avoided her, and sat down 
on the back piazza, for it was a warm even- 


FORGIVENESS. 


151 


ing. It was not safe for her to sit there, 
and Jane, seeing it, called to her to come in. 
Jane’s words and manner, were not calcu- 
lated to soothe Nannie and she did not heed 
them at first ; but suddenly remembering 
how easily she took cold, when exposed to 
the night air, she went into the house. As 
the moon was shining brightly, Jane had not 
lighted the candles, so Nannie could not 
read, and when she ventured to ask if she 
could have one, Jane’s only answer was, — 

“ It is high time children were in bed.” 

But Nannie was very reluctant to go to 
her room alone ; every night before, Hester 
had been with her, and had either read or 
told her stories, until she fell asleep, so that 
Nannie could not bear the thought of being 
by herself. There was, however, no pleasure 
in Jane’s companionship, so the child finally 


152 


THE SILVER LINING. 


went upstairs. Mr. Allen’s voice she 
could hear, and she knew by its lively tone 
that he w^as enjoying his visitor. She hoped, 
as she went past the open door, that Mr. 
Allen would see or hear her, and call to her 
to come in ; but he did neither ; so very tear- 
fully she undressed and lay down in the 
large bed. Sad to say, too, she forgot to 
read in her Bible, or to kneel in prayer. 
It was well for her that our heavenly Fath- 
er drd not forget her, but watched over her 
through all the hours of the night, keeping 
her from every danger. 

■ The morning light did not find all the 
disturbed feelings in Nannie’s heart, gone : 
when she awoke, Hester was dressing. Her 
first question was, — 

“ Where were you last night, and why 
did you not come to the cottage ? ” 


FORGIVENESS. 


153 


“To the cottage! I did not know any- 
thing about it, were you there ? ” 

“Yes, did not Jane tell you?’^ and as 
Nannie shook her head, Hester went on te 
say, “ I waited some time for you to come 
downstairs ; but as you did not, I asked 
Jane to tell you where I was going, and 
that you were to follow me. John was 

very sorry you did not come.” 

% 

“ I did not know where you were ; it was 
very mean of Jane ; she was as cross as she 
could be, last night,” and Nannie’s tears 
fell fast, as she thought of the evening 
before. 

Hester looked rather surprised at so unusu- 
al words from Nannie, for she had been al- 
ways ready before to make the best of her dis- 
appointments ; but now, Hester sjiw that 
Nannie was out of sorts, and telling she 


154 


THE SILVER LINING. 


had better go to sleep again, the older girl left 
the room. It was long after the breakfast 
hour, when Nannie made her appearance, 
and although there were a heaping plate of 
hot buckwheat cakes prepared expressly for 
Nannie, she ate them without any expression 
of pleasu^li. Jane came in before Nannie 
had finished her breakfast, and the child’s 
good nature was not restored by hearing 
her say to Hester, — 

“ How cross that child looks ! ” 

Nor was Jane pleased, however Nannie 
might be, , to hear Hester reply, “ It is 
your fault Jane, for you did not keep your 
word to me last night.” 

Jane made no reply, she could not deny 
the truth of Hester’s words, so she said 
nothing, but soon left the room, as did Hes- 
ter, also. The morning wore on, Nannie 


FORGIVENESS. 


155 


hardly knew how ; the stranger gentleman 
did not leave until after dinner ; and it was 
nearly four o’clock before Mr. Allen sent 
for Nannie. She did not want to go to him, 
for she was crying when Jane told her of 
his wishes ; but Nannie knew it would not 
do for her to stay away, so washing her 
eyes in cold water, she went, hoping that 
their redness would not be discovered. 

It was hoping against hope, however ; for 
Mr. Allen calling her to him, made her look 
up in his face, as he kissed her. He no 
doubt attributed the sorrowful expression of 
her face, to her longing for home ; for he 
appeared suddenly to remember how lonely 
she had been all day, and to apologize for 
his seeming neglect of liis young visitor. 
But Nannie was conscious she had not been 
in a right frame of mind, and as soon as she 


156 


THE SILVER LINING. 


could, she left his side, and taking up a book, 
she sat down in the easy-chair. 

Mr. Allen was not willing to be put olF 
so, and after a few moments he called her to 
him again, saying, — 

“ What were those words of Christ you 
read to me the other day, about forgiving 
those who had injured us ? I tried to remem- 
ber them last night, but could not do so.” 

Nannie knew them well, for her mother 
had taught them to he;^ child almost as soon 
as she could speak ; and she slowly said 
them. 

As she finished repeating them, Mr. Allen 
rather startled her by asking, — 

“ Do you, Nannie, always forgive people ' 
when they treat you unkindly ? ” 

Her first impulse was to answer, “ Oh^ 
yes, sir.” Then remembering the occurrences 


FORGIVENESS. 


157 


of tlie last twenty- four hours she hesitated, 
and ended by lowering her head, and crying 
heartily. 

Mr. Allen was much, surprised, and soothed 
her as well as he could, but she kept on 
weeping for a little time ; then looking at 
him through her tears, she said, — 

“ You do not know how wicked I felt last 
night, toward Jane.’^ 

“ Why, what had Jane done ? ” 

“You know, sir, you sent me downstairs 
when Mr. Wilson came to see you ; well, 
when I went I could not find anything of 
Hester. She had gone to the gardener’s cot- 
tage to see the baby, and left word with Jane 
that I was to follow. But Jane did not tell 
me anything about it, and I was alone all 
the evening.” 

“ That was very unkind in Jane.” 


158 


THE SILVER LINING. 


“Yes, sir, I thought so ; and this morn- 
ing she did not seem at all sorry, but she said 
that I was cross.’’ 

“ I know that was not true, Nannie.” 

Nannie looked up, pleased at first, then 
coloring very much, she said, — 

“But I was very cross ; I almost hated 
her.” 

“Well, you were not to blame; she de- 
served that you should feel so toward her.” 

The Good Spirit in Nannie’s heart was too 
faithful in convincing her of sin to allow her 
to he silent now, so she said, with evident 
effort, — 

“ I do not believe my mother would say 
so ; that is not forgiving Jane to feel so to- 
ward her.” 

“ How can you help it, Nannie ? ” 

“ I ought to have prayed to my heavenly 


FORGIVENESS. 


159 


Father about it, and asked him to take away 
all my naughty feelings, and make me love ' 
Jane. But I never shall become hke Jesus 
I am afraid, I do wrong so often.” 

Mr. Allen’s eyes watered in sympathy 
with the child’s ; her simplicity in revealing to 
him all her faults and desires, showed him 
more fully than anything else ever had, the 
evil in his own heart. Bending down to 
her, he said, — 

“ Read me more from the Bible, Nannie.” 

The child turned over the leaves until she 
came to St. Matthew ; and then, guided by 
higher wisdom than her own, she selected 
the eighteenth chapter. It all seemed to be 
written for them both. Nannie gained new 
confidence in the love of Christ for the chil- 
dren, while Mr. Allen saw that there was a 
great contrast between his hard, unyielding 


160 


THE SILVER LINING. 


heart and her tender loving one. He saw 
more, — that if he would be accepted by 
God, there must be no limit to his forgive- 
ness of those who had injured him. His 
whole soul cried out for help, and he began 
to realize how unlike he was to the Holy 
One who uttered these words : — 

“ Then came Peter to him, and said, 
Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against 
me and I forgive him ? till seven times ? Je- 
sus saith unto him, I say not unto thee Until 
seven times, but Until seventy times seven.’’ 

'Nannie had expected to I'eturn home with 
Philip that afternoon, but Mr. Allen was not 
willing she should leave him. She thought 
at first that she must go, as she had never 
been away from her mother on the Sabbath 
before ; but Mr. Allen had been so kind and 
urged Nannie’s remaining so earnestly, that 


FORGIVENESS. 


161 


she thought she ought to consent. So 
Philip was the bearer of a note from Mr. 
Allen to Mrs. Preston, with a smaller one 
inside of it from Nannie. The mother was 
much disappointed when Philip came home 
without his sister, and she could hardly be 
reconciled to have it so. This note she read 
aloud to her husband : — 

“ Darling Mother : 

“ I wanted to come home so much to see 
father and you, and to go to church and 
Sabbath school to-morrow. But if you are 
willing, I shall stay a little longer with dear 
Mr. Allen. You know he has no child of 
his own, and he says he loves me dearly. 

“ I think he means to love Jesus too, for he 
asked me to read aloud to him what our Sa- 
viour says. I did read one chapter and then 


11 


162 


THE SILVER LINING.* 


another ; after I was tired, Mr. Allen took 
my Bible and read to himself a long while. 

“ Last- night I asked Jesus to help me when 
I talked to Mr. Allen, and though I am only 
a child, I am sure he heard my prayer. And 
this is the reason I cannot come home with 
Philip. 

“ Your affectionate daughter, 

“ Nannie.” 

The Sabbath proved to be a different one 
from any Nannie had ever spent ; always be- 
fore she had been with her mother, and to 
them both the day was always pleasant. 
For they read the Bible together, and with 
the beautiful stories of Moses, Joseph, and 
Daniel, Philip and Nannie were well ac- 
quainted. 

Her knowledge she found most service- 


FORGIVENESS. 


• 163 


able that Sabbath ; her lesson that day was 
upon the forty-fifth chapter of Genesis, 
where Joseph makes . himself known to his 
brethren. She studied it the same as if she 
had been expecting to recite it to her teach- 
er ; and when Mr. Allen called her. to him 
she had her book still in her hand. Find- 
ing out what she had been doing, he ques- 
tioned her upon the story, and then they 
had a lono; talk about it. 

It was the same subject of forgiveness, and 
from Joseph, somehow, their thoughts turned 
to Jesus upon the cross praying for his ene- 
mies. 

Then Mr. Allen asked Nannie to sing to 
him, and she selected one of her favorite 
hymns, which commences thus, — 


“ Children ! hear the melting story 
Of the Lamb that once was slain ; 
*Tis the Lord of life and glory ; 


164 ' 


THE SILVER LINING. 


Shall He plead with you in vain ? 

Oh ! receive Him, 

And salvation now obtain.” 

After she had finished singing, with sim- 
ple earnestness Nannie said to her friend, — 
‘‘ Will not you go to dear Jesus ? he is the 
best friend you can ever have ; he will never 
chancre but loves to have us ask him for a 
great deal. And mother says he never 
turns anybody away.” 

To any one*^ else Mr. Allen would 
scarcely have answered so freely, but to 
Nannie, he replied, — 

“ But I am an old man who have loved 
the world all my life.” 

“Yes, I know it,” answered Nannie, 
“ and you have not been happy ; I did 
just so, although I am only a child, but I 
love Jesus now, and I want you to love 
him, too.” 


FORGIVENESS. 


165 


After dinner, Hester invited Nannie to 
go to a small chapel a short distance from 
Mr. Allen’s house. Although the building 
was very plain, still the glad news of sal- 
^'ation was once more proclaimed in their 
ears. All the way home the closing hymn 
was in her mind, — ^ 

“ Joy to the woild, — the Lord is come ; 

Let earth receive her King ; 

Let every heart prepare him room, 

And heaven and nature sing.” 

On Wednesday of that week Mr. Preston 
came for his child ; Mr. Allen thanked her 
father again and again for permitting her 
to remain so long, and Mr. Preston saw a 
chanire in the whole man. Mr. Allen had 
always been polite, but it had evidently 
been an effort to him ; now, his humility 


166 


THE SILVER LINING. 


was almost as striking as his pride had 
been ; and, after kissing Nannie more than 
once, he shook hands with her father, 
saying, — . 

“ I must tell you what a blessing your- 
child has been to me. I have thought in 
past times that I should never know a 
happy hour again, but she has lifted the 
clouds.” 

The cottage seemed like another place to 
Mrs. Preston when Nannie entered it, and 
the child herself, — no bird ever sang as loud 
and constantly as she did. Still those days 
of luxmy and petting left their traces on 
her character. She was somewhat impa- 
tient, and not quite pleased to return to 
their plain manner of living. 

The next Sabbath was a stormy one, 
and Nannie and her mother were at home 


FORGIVENESS. 


167 


together. Mrs. Preston had previously 
heard a full account of the visit, but to-day 
Nannie found still more to say. With 
some difficulty she told of her hard feelings 
toward Jane, andMrs. Preston asked, — 

“ Have you fully forgiven her, Nannie ? ” 
Her daughter replied, I think so, mother; 
but it was almost the hardest thing that 
I ever did. I never meant to be cross 
again, but I was very angry. I wonder 
why it is, if I really love Jesus, that I 
so often do the very things that will grieve 
him the most.’’ 

‘‘ Perhaps one reason God permits it, is 
to show you how very weak you are. Our 
only dependence is on Christ, to save us and 
to keep us.” 

“ It seems to be sinning and being sorry 
all the time, mother.” 


168 


THE SILVER LINING. 


“ Yes,” replied Mrs. Preston, “ so 
it is ; but if we are great sinners, we 
have a greater Saviour, and he is our only 
hope.” 


CHAPTER IX. 


SURPRISES. 


“ Cometh sunshine after rain, 
After mourning, joy again. 
After heavy, bitter grief, 
Dawneth surely sweet relief.” 


UMMER has come, almost before any 
of the people in Greenville are ready 
for it; the roses and pinks in Mr. 
Allen’s garden are almost countless, and he 
has just directed John to gather him a large 
bouquet of them. John has literally fulfilled 
the request, and Mr. Allen smiles to himself 
as the gardener hands them to him. He 
sees, in imagination, the eyes of the maiden, 
( 169 ) 



170 


THE SILVER LINING. 


for whom these flowers are designed, dancing 
with joy, as he shall hand them to her. 

When he arrives at her home, however, 
only her mother is within ; hut in a minute 
more they hear Nannie’s crutch, and she is 
soon at his side, showing her pleasure at his 
coming. He is not disappointed in the ad- 
miration she expresses for his gift; it even 
exceeds what he expected, and he is much 
amused to see her fill various tumblers with 
water, and place the flowers in them. Per- 
haps he is hardly aware how much his face 
expresses, until Nannie turns suddenly 
around, saying, — 

“ What pleases you so much, Mr. Allen ? ” 
“ Oh, I was thinking how little it takes to 
please a child like you ! ” 

In the mean time Philip had made his ap- 
pearance, and he seemed almost as much de- 


SURPRISES. 


171 


lighted as his sister, and proposed to her that 
she should charge all her friends a penny 
apiece for the privilege of looking at the 
floral exhibition. 

“ But,” said Nannie, “ I should not want 
to do that ; the flowers are too pretty not to 
let every one see them who would like to do 
so ! ” • 

% 

So, all that afternoon, Nannie held quite a 
levee. Some of their near neighbors had seen 
Mr. Allen bring the flowers ; so they came 
soon after dinner to wonder and admire. 
Others heard the story, and they came too — 
children and grown people beside; to the 
former, Nannie gave each a flower ; but their 
mothers had to content themselves with what 
sight and smell would do for their gratifica- 
tion. 

By four o’clock all the visitors had gone. 


172 


THE SILVER LINING. 


and Mrs. Preston’s tea-table was, an hour 
after, all ready with their simple supper. 
But her husband did not come, as usual, and 
Philip became very impatient for his father 
to arrive. It was past six, however, when 
Mr. Allen’s buggy was seen driving quickly 
toward their house, and, much to the boy’s 
astonishment, his father jumped from the 
carriage, and entered his home. 

Philip asked several questions, but ob- 
tained no very satisfactory answers from his 
father ; till, at last, Nannie whispered to her 
brother, — 

“ You had better wait, Philip, until father 
has had his tea, and then he will talk.” 

Sure enough, tea did appear to have a 
marvellous effect upon Mr. Preston ; for, 
turning toward his son, he asked him, — 

“ How should you like to go away to 
school ? ” 


SURPRISES. 


173 


“ Go away, father I where ? ’’ 

“ I do not know ; perhaps to Groton, or •— 
“ Like it ! O father I it would be fine ; bui 
you have not the money to send me.’’ 

“ No, but some one else has. The fact is, 
that Mr. Allen, some weeks ago, proposed 
your going at his own expense ; he said it 
was not only for your own good, — he knew 
the change would be a very beneficial one for 
you, — but it would be conferring a great 
pleasure on him. I was not sure that it 
would be for your benefit, and so I took time 
to think of it. To-day, when I was coming 
from the river, Mr. Allen overtook me, and 
invited me to ride with him. I accepted his 
invitation, and told him, before I parted with 
him, that if you would like to go to school, I 
would make no further objection.” 

Philip looked delighted, but could hardly 


174 


THE SILVER LINING. 


describe bis feelings ; he had wanted, a great 
while, to see more of the world, and this pro- 
posal seemed a long step in that direction ; 
but he had not anticipated leaving his mother 
and' sister He found that the bitter and the 
sweet were pretty closely linked together; 
but still he was sure he wished to go to 
jchobl. 

Nannie was somewhat perplexed, also ; she 
^ad Ictig tliought Philip capable of great 
vhings, but somehow had never imagined 
^hat change would come to him without in- 
cluding them all. She was full of dismay at 
the thought of his leaving his home and her ; 
for full of life and health as he had always 
been, she saw how quiet would be their 
home, if he were no more to come in with 
his marvellous stories and adventures. 

Their mother, too : her feelings were of a 


SURPRISES. 


175 


mingled nature, as well as those of her chil- 
dren. She realized how great the advantages 
of a good school would be to her son ; but the 
many temptations and enticements to evil 
that he would meet with on every hand, — 
these almost led her to say that she could not 
let him go. It was not wholly a new thought 
to her, for her husband had spoken of Mr. 
Allen’s wishes, when he first made them 
known to Mr. Preston ; so that she was 
somewhat prepared for the result. But she 
did wliat she was accustomed to do with all 
her perplexities. She carried them witli 
humble faith and prayer to Him who has 
said, — 

“ In all thy ways acknowledge him, "and 
he shall direct thy paths.” 

As Philip was not to commence his 
school until the autumn, he continued 


176 


THE SILVER LINING. 


his duties at Mr. Allen’s or rather was 
employed on the farm all the time ; only 
going home to spend his Sabbaths. He 
was in perfect health and earned good 
wages; he was, however, treated more like 
a child by his employer than a laborer; 
being always expected, after his day’s 
work was done, to prepare himself to be 
a companion to the master of the house. 

In this matter Hester had ever stood 
his friend. She was quick to know and 
observe all Mr. Allen’s wishes. She knew 
how annoyed he was to have any one 
about him who was not entirely neat in 
his person and clothes ; and she was very 
careful that Philip should never offend in 
that manner. Once or twice he ventured, 
when tired, to disregard her wishes. ^The 
first time the offence was overlooked ; but 


SURPRISES. 


177 


rhe second, he never desired to try the 
experiment again. Mr. Allen expressed 
his displeasure in a few Vords, hut Philip 
was careful not to give occasion for those 
few a third time. 

Neither fruit nor vegetables ripened upon 
the farm, but Philip was directed to carry 
some of them to his home, and more than 
once, at Mr. Allen’s request, the boy went 
for his mother and sister, to spend the 
day at the Mansion House. Nannie’s pleas- 
ure was expressed by her in every way 
possible ; and Mrs. Preston, more quiet 
in her words and manner than her chil- 
dren, was no less delighted to see with 
her own eyes all that they had so graph- 
ically described to her. 

In regard to Mr. Allen’s religious feel- 

o o 

ings, Nannie was a little disappointed. The 


12 


178 


THE SILVER LINING. 


dear Saviour was to her so near a friend 
that she could not understand that one 
might love him, and yet not be mre that 
they did so. In many respects, she saw 
that he was a different man from what 
he had been in times past ; he now al- 
ways asked God’s blessing at meal-time, 
and she knew that his Bible was daily 
read by him. • But when she talked of 
Jesus, and of his great love to her and 
of hers to him, and waited for a response 
from Mr. Allen, she was grieved more 
than once to hear him say, — 

“ Yes, Nannie, if I could only be as 
sure of his love and forgiveness as you 
are ; but I have many doubts and fears.” 

Then she would remind him of the 
many precious promises in God’s word 
for the great sinners, and of the lying 


SURPRISES. 


179 


thief, who was saved upon the cross. 
Talking with her always gave him more 
hope that he would also find mercy; hut 
he did not often speak of his doubts' 
and anxieties to any one else except to 
Mr. Williams. At Nannie’s suggestion 
the clergyman had called on her friend, 
and had a long and faithful talk with him. 
Although it- was at the eleventh hour, the 
minister rejoiced, for he was sure that 
God had begun a good work in the heart 
that had been so entirely opposed to re- 
ligious truth. 

One day, as Nannie was at home alone, 
she was delighted to hear a buggy st’op 
at their door ; and as it was open, she 
in a moment more threw down her sew- 
ing and saw Philip entering the room. 
For a second she was almost sorry that 


180 THE SILVER LINING. 

lie had neither fruit nor flowers for her, 
but she forgot her sorrow when he said 
to her, — 

“ O Nannie ! where is mother ? ” 

“She has gone to Mrs. Curtis’s. Frank 
is sick, and they sent for mother to come 
in. What do you want of her?” 

“ I wanted to tell her the news. Mr. 
Allen has gone away.” 

“ Gone away ! where ? ” 

“J do not know, only that he said, 
he was going to Boston first, and should 
probably be absent a fortnight. I expect 
Hester knows more, but she will not tell 
me.” 

Mrs. Preston, when she came home, was 
IS much surprised as her children had been 
to hear the news. The next day, when 
Nannie was out with her father, Hester 


SURPRISES. 


181 


«*ame in. She told Mrs. Preston, as a 
great secret, that Mr. Allen had received 
letters a few days before, which had ap- 
peared to cause him great anxiety; that 
he had hardly slept, or eaten, since they 
came, but that she had heard him pac- 
ing his chamber back and forth, almost 
all night. 

• Hester went on to say, “I was very 
sure the letters had something to do with 
his children, and night before last he 
called me to him, saying, I have heard 
that Mr. Willis, Sophia’s husband, is dead 
and I am going to her. Do not speak 
of it among the servants, but she will prob- 
ably return here with me, and I wish 
you to be all ready for us; I will send 
you word when you may expect us.” 

‘‘ So,” said Hester, “ I understood his 


182 


THE SILVER LINING. 


trouble; for he said once, his daughter, 
should never come into his house again. 
I am sure he must be a Christian, for 
nothing but God’s grace would have en- 
abled him to forgive her. It was wonder- 
ful,” said Hester, wiping her eyes, “ to 
see Mr. Allen; he has been a very hard 
man, but he cried when he spoke of 
her. I hope she is as much changed as 
he is, for she sadly tried her parents 
when she was at home by her self-will.’* 
When Nannie came home, her mother told 
her enough of the story to interest her greatly. 
Mrs. Preston knew Nannie would not repeat 
it ; and the mother felt, as Hester did, that 
the young girl had been an instrument, in 
God’s hands, of great good to her older 
friend. The fortnight he was away appeared 
very long to them all ; but one Saturday, 
when Philip came home, he said, — 


SURPRISES. 


183 


“You cannot guess, Nannie, whom Mr. 
Allen brought home with him yesterday.” 

Nannie thought she could ; but she did 
not say so, and Philip went on : — 

“ I was on the piazza at noon, for it was 
too hot to mow, when I saw a carriage com- 
ing up the avenue -very rapidly. Soon it 
stopped, and Mr. Allen got out. He assisted 
a lady and a little girl to jump out, too ; and 
they all came up the steps. He did not take 
any notice of me ; but Hester opened the 
door, and they went in. I did not see or 
hear anything more of any of them until 
supper-time, w'hen I went into the dining- 
room. Hester presided at the tea-urn, as 
usual ; but npon one side of the table were this 
same lady and child. Mr. Allen introduced 
them to me as his daughter, Mrs. Willis, and 
his grandchild, Sophia. This morning I had 


184 


THE SILVER LINING. 


a great frolic with the latter. She is two 
years younger than you are, Nannie; but 
she is almost as large as you.’’ 

Philip expected Nannie would ask him 
many questions concerning the little girl ; 
but his sister was thinking more of another 
person, for she asked,. — 

“ Did Mr. Allen seem glad, Philip ? ” 

“Well, I do not know; not glad as you 
or I would have been, but glad for him, per- 
haps. The family were all very quiet at 
table except little Sophia : she kept saying, 
‘ Grandpa, will you do this or that ? ’ all the 
time.” 

When Mr. Allen called his family to- 
gether ^or their evening worship,JPhilip said 
to his mother, — 

“ Last night Mr. Allen did wlnat he never 
had done before. After supper he sent m^ 


SURPRISES. 


185 


to ask the servants to come to the library, 
and to come myself. When I went, they 
had all come, with Mrs. Willis, the child, 
and Hester. After all were seated, Mr. Al- 
len came in, and sat down in his arm-chair, 
with his Bible on the little table in front of 
him. He said : — 

“ ‘ I hope God has forgiven all my sins, 
and that, in future, he will help me to love 
and serve him.’ 

“ Then he read tlie one hundred and 
third Psalm ; and, mother, I could not help 
crying while he read it. After that he knelt 
down, and all of us with him. He prayed 
aloud. I thought of Nannie, and wished she 
could have heard him.” 

Nannie’s tears had fallen fast while Philip 
was telling his. story, and her mother’s eyes 
showed strong sympathy with her child. 


186 


THE SILVER LINING. 


Mr. Preston read the same Psalm. It was 
all appropriate, they saw, to Mr. Allen ; and 
they rejoiced for him, that such comforting 
words as these could be his : — 

“The Lord is ‘merciful and gracious, slow 
to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 

“He will not always chide ; neither will 
he keep his anger forever. 

“ He hath not dealt with us after our sins, 
nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 

“For as the heaven is high above the 
earth, so great is his mercy toward them that 
fear him. 

“ As far as the east is removed from the 
west, so far hath he removed our transgres- 
sions from us.” 

As angels in heaven had rejoiced over the 
sinner that had repented, and turned unto 
God, so this little family gave thanks unto 


SURPRISES. 


187 


him for the soul that had been brought out 
,of nature’s darkness into God’s marvellous 


CHAPTER X. 


SELF-CONFIDENCE. 

“ Deeds are fruits, words are but leaves.” 

HE next week Nannie went with 
Philip to be introduced to the little 
stranger, and she was surprised to see 
how differently the whole house looljed, both 
inside and out. Blinds and shutters of rooms 
that had been closed for long years were open, 
and into those that the family had heretofore 
occupied, Sophia had already brought sunshine. 

She sprang toward Philip when she saw 
him enter, for he had made great progress 
in her favor, but Nannie did not apparently 
( 188 ) 



S ELF-CONFID ENCE. 


189 


please her, until she found that her visitor 
was Philip’s sister, and then the little lady 
condescended to take some notice of Nannie. 

Mr. Allen came in just then ; Ms welcome 
of Nannie was a very warm one, and Sophia 
looked on, hardly pleased that her grand- 
father’s kisses should be so freely given to 
any one besides herself. He perhaps saw a 
little of this feeling, for he called both of the 
children to him, and with an arm about 
each, he said, — 

“ Before you came to Greenville, Sophia, 
Nannie was the only child that came to 
visit me. She did a great deal to make 
your grandpa happy; so I hope you will 
love each other very much.” 

Sophia still held back, but with her grand- 
father in the room, she did not dare to diso- 
bey him, and she soon forgot her jealous 


190 


THE SILVER LINING. 




feelings. For Nannie, she found, know a 
great many things she did not, and was 
ready to dress or undress the dolls, juat as 
Sophia might like her to do. Indeed, Nan- 
nie hardly stood up for her own rights as 
she ought to have done ; once or twice Mr . 
Allen interfered, when he saw his grand 
daughter was too exactincj. 

After a while Sophia proposed going up- 
stairs, and the two went into Mr. Allen’s)! 
sitting-room. Mrs. Willis was there ; she 
spoke very kindly to Nannie, but the lady 
did riot encourage much conversation. 0» 
the wholej Nannie did not enjoy her visit as 
she had expected ; and when at tea-time 
Mr. Allen said he should be obliged to hurry 
her right away, as he must go in town before 
dark, she made no objection, parting from 
her new acquaintance with very little re- 
gret. 


SELF-CONFIDENCE. 


191 


It was well for Nannie tliat there were 
now so many things to do at home. Philip 
was to go very soon away to school, and 
there were some more stitches to he taken 
in his behalf. His sister was glad that she 
had worked a sampler the winter before, 
and could now mark all her brother’s 
clothes. Some tears were sewed in with 
the letters, for her heart failed her more 
and more as she thought of the chair that 
would so soon be vacant at their fireside. 

It was decided that her brother should go 
to Maplewood. The school was a family 
one, — only twelve boys in all ; but to Philip, 
the change was a great one. Mr. Allen 
had written to Mr. Peed, the principal, 
and all the arrangements were made for 
Philip to enter school the first of Sep- 
tember. 


192 


THE SILVER LINING. 


ft 

Nannie’s tears fell fast when her brothel 
left his home. His father accompanied him 
to the school. His mother looked pale as 
she kissed her son for the last time; he 
had determined he would not cry, but a 
few tears fell as his mother whispered to 
him, — 

“Never forget, . Philip, that God can al- 
ways see you.” 

He was sure that nothing would ever 
make him forget it, but he trusted in him- 
self, and human strength is always weak. 

The ride to Boston he enjoyed very 
much ; it was all new to Philip, and he 
grew larger in his own estimation every 
step of the way. 

At the station in Maplewood Mr. Pres- 
lon found a man with a carriage, waiting 
for them, and the trunk and themselves 


SELF-CONFIDEN .pE. 


193 


were soon in it and driving rapidly toward 
Mr. Reed’s house. This they found to 
be of brick, four stories in height; and 
Philip, notwithstanding his confidence, felt 
himself tremble as they went up the stone 
steps. But the door stood wide open, and 
Mr. Reed was in the hall ready to speak 
with them. He conducted them into a 
small reception-room, where Mr. Preston 
introduced himself and his son. 

Philip answered all Mr. Reed’s questions, 
but in as few words as possible, and the 
boy’s heart almost failed him when his 
father standing up, said he must leave di- 
rectly, in order to take the next train home. 
Philip wished very strongly that he was 
going home, too, but he would not say so. 
In a few minutes more Mr. Preston was 
gone, and Phiiip following. Mr. Reed up 


194 


THE SILVER LINI^G. 


to the third story of the house, into a large, 
square chamber. There were three single 
beds in it, with a small bureau, sink and 
chair for each occupant ; Mr. Reed said to 
Philip,— 

“ Tea will be ready in half an hour, and 
I will leave you now. You will wish, I 
suppose, to wash the dust from your face 
and hands, and I will send to you one of 
your room-mates in season for you to come 
downstairs.” 

So Philip did not then stop to do more than 
take a very cursory glance from the win- 
dows, and proceeded to unlock his trunk, 
and attend to the duties of his toilet. His 
mother had packed everything for him, and 
as he laid his comb and brush back in his 
trunk he saw a new red Bible in one corner. 
In it he found his mother* had written his 


SELF-CONFIDENCE. 


195 


name and her own, and the familiar pas- 
sage, — 

My son, if sinners entice thee, consent 
thou not.” 

Philip found he had still time to take out 
some of his clothes and place them in his 
drawer. While he was thus engaored, he 
heard a gentle tap at the door, and a boy en- 
tered about his own age. The stranger came 
forward, and, as Philip rose to meet him, he 
said, 

“ I am Carl Lincoln, and Mr. Reed sent 
me for you ; he thought you might prefer to 
go into the dining hall before the rest of the 
crowd.” 

“ Yes,” said Philip, “ I should ; how many 
are there at table ? ” 

“ Oh, you make the thirteenth boy ; beside, 
there are Mr. and Mrs. Reed, and their two 
daughters, Ida and Mary, seventeen in all.” 


196 


THE SILVER LINING. 


Philip was glad to hear there were two 
girls in the family, for ■ he already longed to 
see Nannie ; and he hoped in one of them to 
find a friend. His seat at table, he found to 
be between Ida and Carl. The former, the 
younger of the two girls, was lively and 
pleasant ; and thinking Philip looked a little 
homesick, exerted herself to entertain him. 
Before they were through supper, he had told 
her of his home and sister ; he was surprised 
to find Ida was only fifteen years old, one 
year older than Nannie ; she was a good deal 
taller, and seemed older in every respect than 
his sister. 

Directly after supper the family assembled 
in the library for their evening devotions. 
Philip found all were expected to repeat a 
passage of Scripture, and he was glad to call 
to mind some he had learned at home for the 


SELF-CONFIDENCE. 


197 


same purpose. After prayers, half an hour 
was allowed for recreation ; most of the boys 
went out of doors to find it, and Philip ac- 
companied them. Before any of them were 
ready for the summons, the study-bell was 
heard ; Philip had for that night his choice, 
either to go into the school-room, or remain 
with the family in the parlor. He chose the 
former, as he wished thoroughly to under- 
stand all that would be expected of him in 
the future. 

He was delighted with the appearance of 
the room, — everything about it wore so cheer- 
ful an aspect ; the walls were hung with fine 
engravings and maps, and the three large 
windows had red curtains, which, now falling 
to the floor, gave the apartment a very cosey 
appearance. . Mr. Reed handed Philip a 
bound volume of the Youth’s Companion to 


198 


THE SILVER LINING. 


i 

look over, and wliat with reading that, and 
gazing about him, the hour was gone very 
quickly. 

At eight o’clock, most of the boys went up- 
stairs, but they were not obliged to retire un- 
til half an hour later. Philip wished in his 
heart that the boys were not so socially in- 
clined, for he was tired and longed to go to 
bed but there were three or four boys in 
his room, besides those who belonged there. 
So he endured their society until he heard 
another bell ring, and then with many hasty 
^ good nights, the visitors all took leave. 

Now came a trial never before known to 
Philip : his habit had always been, at night 
and in the morning, to read in his Bible and 
to kneel in prayer. But he had been alone, 
and now Carl and Henry'^'ere in the room, 
talking in a loud tone of voice. However, 


SELF-CONFIDENCE. 


199 


conscience was too active for Philip to neglect 
his Bible, and although he felt the eyes of his 
companions upon him, he persevered in finish- 
ing his chapter. 

But the prayer ! alas for Philip, he decided 
that after he was in his bed it could as well 
be offered, and as he was the last one to re- 
tire, he extinguished the light and laid him- 
self down to rest. He did commence to pray, 
but he was very weary, and after offering only 
two or three petitions, he went fast asleep, 
and knew nothing more till the bright rays 
of the morning sun awoke him from slumber. 

Springing up, he saw his companions were 
still asleep ; so he quietly rose, dressed him, 
and did both read and pray, before he was 
interrupted. He was employed in emptying 
his trunk, so that it might be carried into the 
attic, when the morning bell was rang, and 


200 


THE SILVER LINING. 


Henry, who was the first to waken, called 
out, — 

“ Why, Philip Preston ! what upon earth 
are you up so early for ? 

“ Because I awoke,’’ said Philip, “ and 
knew I should not go to sleep again. I am 
always up as early at home.” 

“Are you?” replied Henry; “you are 
very unlike Carl, then. I always have to 
waken him.” Going to the latter’s bed, 
Henry called out, “ Carl, you must open 
your eyes, or you will surely be late at 
breakfast ; and then you will catch it from 
the dominie.” 

As his words had no effect, Henry pro- 
ceeded to take the clothes from the bed, and 
seizing Carl by the feet, the former pulled 
him out without ceremony. Carl bore it bet- 
ter than Philip expected he would ; but the 



Seizing Carl by the feet.’^ 


Silver Lining, p. 200. 




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SELF-CONFIDENCE. 


201 


sleeper looked only half awake, and when 
the breakfast bell rang, his companions were 
obliged to leave him. He was not the only 
one that was tardy that morning, but Mr. 
Reed was reading the newspaper when the 
delinquents entered the room, so that they 
escaped a reprimand. 

The half hour before school-time Philip 
spent in driving hoop, and came in fresh and 
vigorous for his studies. He dreaded his ex- 
amination by Mr. Reed, but passed it very 
creditably, and enjoyed the morning’s exer- 
cises much more than he had expected to do. 
Before the first week was over he felt 
entirely at home, and took rank among the 
best scholars. His mates were pleased to 
find he loved to play as well as to study ; 
but they laughed at him sometimes, when he 
left them to do an errand for Mary, or as- 
sisted Ida Reed an hour in her garden. 


202 


THE SILVER LINING. 


But throu2:li his kindness to the sisters 
he had some privileges that he otherwise 
would not have enjoyed. Once or twice 
when they were going into the city on a 
shopping expedition, and their father could 
not go with them, they invited Philip to 
drive them in, and he was glad enough to do 
so. 

Soon after he had come to Maplewood, he 
had shown that he understood managing a 
horse. Mrs. E-eed had been out riding, and 
as she came up toward the house, the ani- 
mal became frightened, and started to run. 
Several of the boys were standing near, but 
Philip was the first to spring forward, seize 
the reins, and stop the horse. Ida was with 
her mother at the time, and the two could 
not say enough to thank Philip for his cour- 
age and skill in saving them from accident. 


SELF-CON FIDEN CE . 


203 


Mr. Reed, too, glad to find a boy so reli- 
able, often chose him when he wished er- 
rands done, or commissions executed at short 
notice. So that Philip was quite the envy 
of some of his companions, who thought, 
because ^of their having been pupils for a 
longer time at Maplewood, they were better 
entitled to these privileges than he. One or 
two of his companions showed their displeas- 
ure by seeking to injure him; hiding his 
school-books, tipping over his inkstand, and 
in many other ways annoying and troubling 
him. However, his good nature did not fail 
him, and he thought after a while they had 
given up their malice. 

But he little knew them, they had but 
changed their mode of attack ; they sought, 
as the attacking party always does, for the 
weak points of their enemy. By seeming 


204 


THE SILVER LINING. 


accident his weakness was discovered by 
them. Henry Parker, his room-mate, had a 
box of good things sent to him from his home 
in Springfield, and he invited all the boys to 
come to his room and share with him in his 
father’s gift. The box was well -fitted to 
please the school-boys ; its contents were of 
dates, nuts and oranges ; and the half-hour 
spent in eating them, revealed many a phase 
of character in the different lads, hitherto 
unsuspected by their companions. 

Philip showed all his mates that he had a 
great love for nice things, and talked quite 
largely of the fine cooking he had been ac- 
customed to at Mr. Allen’s, so very different 
from the plain living they -now had every 
day. 

Stephen Pond heard all that Philip said, 
and laid his plans accordingly. The former 


^ELF-CONFIDEN CE. 


205 


had a good deal of spending money, but a 
rule of the school was, that only on Satur- 
days should any confectionary be bought, 
and then the scholar must be accompanied 
by a teacher. Stephen never observed any 
rules if he could help it, and this one he dis- 
obeyed like the rest. He had discovered a 
small store at the end of the street ; the wo- 
man who kept it had little variety of candy, 
but for extra pay she was willing to procure 
him wdiatever he wished. 

For a week past he had made three visits 
to Mrs. Wood’s, but he had not taken any 
of his schoolfellows into his confidence. The 
next day Mr. Reed invited all the boys to 
take aT long walk with him ; Philip had 
sprained his foot in the morning, and Mrs. 
Reed said that he had better remain at home. 
Stephen volunteered to keep him company. 


206 


THE SILVER LINING. 


and as their walks were always to places and 
objects of interest in the neighborhood of the 
school, it was considered a great deprivation 
by the scholars if they could not partake of 
them. 

So Stephen obtained more credit for gen- 
erosity than he deserved ; for after the walk- 
ing party had been gone half an hour, he 
disappeared also. He was gone so long that 
Philip thought he must have altered his 
mind and gone to join his schoolmates ; but 
just then Stephen entered the room. He 
had a large parcel in his hand, and to Phil- 
ip’s astonishment, the former laid it on the 
table near which Philip was sitting. It con- 
tained cake and candy, and his eyes glistened 
as he saw the tempting display and heard the 
words, — 

“ Help yourself, Philip ; we will have as 
good a time as the rest of the boys.” 


SELF-CONFIDENCE. 


207 


“ Where did they come from ? ” asked 
Philip, helping himself as he spoke to a large 
piece of frosted cake, which happened to be 
a great favorite with him. 

“ Oh, I got them,” replied Stephen ; 
‘‘ they are bought and paid for.” 

Philip might have known there was some- 
thing wrong about the matter, had he cared 
to make inquiry ; but he had ceased to watch 
or to pray that he might not be led into 
temptation. Fully confident of his own 
strength, he did not feel the need of divine 
direction ; and for more than two months, he 
had not opened his Bible nor knelt in prayer. 

Neither of the other boys in his room had 
done either, and they had laughed at him at 
first for his piety, although in their hearts 
they respected him for the courage and de- 
cision he showed. They had, ere this, con- 


208 


THE SILVER LINING. 


eluded that he was no better than they were ; 
considering his early education, he was, In 
reality far worse. And now he forgot his 
mother’s charge to him, “ If sinners entice 
thee consent thou not.’’ 


CHAPTER XI. 


HUMAN WEAKNESS. 

“He who loses anything, and gets wisdom by it, is a 
gainer by the loss.” 

HAT afternoon’s enjoyment opened 
the way to many others of a like 
character ; before long, Philip learned 
the place from whence the bread eaten in 
secret was procured ; and in order to share 
in the spoil, he often consented himself to 
be the purchaser. Before six months had 
passed, he had placed himself fully in Ste- 
phen’s power, and the former’s letters 
home, while they never had been as full 
and explicit as Nannie or her mother could 

(209) 



14 


210 


THE SILVER LINING. 


have desired, ^’ew less and less so every 
week. 

By the spring they had ceased altogether ; 
and Mr. Allen, learning of the state of things 
from Mr. Preston, went to Maplewood, to 
learn from Mr. Heed why the change in 
Philip had taken place. 

His teacher had noticed it with great pain, 
had seen a great difference in Philip’s lessons 
and deportment, for many weeks, from what 
they had been the first part of the year. 
But the boys had been so wise in carrying 
out their plans, that they had not been sus- 
pected of direct disobedience. 

Ida Reed, had she been questioned, could 
have thrown some light upon the change in 
Philip ; but the boy’s kindnesses to her were 
too constant for her to be willing to bring 
him into disgrace. 


HUMA.N WEAKNESS. 


211 


One thing was veiy evident to Mr. Allen, 
— that Philip avoided him, and would not be 
alone with him if by any means the boy 
could help it. But Mr. Allen determined 
not to return home till the secret was dis- 
covered, however long a time might elapse. 
One day, he was walking in a grove not far 
from the house, when he saw through the 
trees a hoy, resembling Philip, walking very 
cautiously down the road. He looked upon 
this side and then * upon that ; finally he 
darted forward, and was lost to the gentle- 
man’s sight. 

Mr. Allen was sure all was not right, but 
had not decided whether to speak of what 
he had seen to Mr. Keed, when, turning 
around, the former discovered the same boy 
in the grove on his way back. He saw, at 
once, that the boy was no other than Philip ; 


212 


THE SILVER LINING. 


and as the latter found that he was seen, he 
came forward with as hold a face as he 
could put on. He had one or two bundles 
in his hand, and another under his arm ; he 
changed them about more than once, and Mr. 
Allen’s quick eye saw that in those pack- 
ages lay part of the secret. He did not 
allude to his suspicions then, only asking, — 

“ Where have you been, Philip ? ” 

“ Oh, I — I have been of some errands, sir.” 
‘‘ Ah, well, then we can go home togeth- 
er;” and Mr. Allen, notwithstanding he 
saw Philip’s evident dislike to his company, 
accompanied the boy home. Just as they 
came in sight of the house, Philip said, “ I 
will go in at the side door.” 

Before Mr. Allen could prevent it, the boy 
left him. Nothing transpired at the tea, 
table, to throw any light upon the afternoon 


HUMAN WEAKNESS. 


213 


walk ; but in the evening, after the study 
hours, Mr. Allen asked Philip to come into 
the parlor. Philip evidently shrank from 
accepting the invitation, but fearful of arous- 
ing the suspicions of his friend, the former 
went in. 

Ida was looking at pictures, and called to 
him to examine them with her ; and as the 
others were all engaged in conversation, he 
hoped he should escape detection. Indeed, 
he had forgotten all about his walk, and was 
listenino: to Mr. . Reed’s account of an acci- 
dent, that had taken place down street that 
afternoon. Pie had heard of it from a friend 
who called just before their tea hour, but 
was unable to answer all the questions of 
Mrs. Reed and her daughters in relation to 
it. For Mr. Reed only knew that a horse 
had run away with a carriage, and, before 


214 


THE SILVER LINING. 


he could be stopped, had knocked down and 
killed instantly a little girl who was cross- 
ing the street. 

Mr. Allen turned round just then toward 
Philip, saying, — 

“ Did you see anything of the accident, 
when you were out this afternoon, Philip ? ’’ 

If Philip had answered quickly, he might 
then have escaped detection, but conscious 
guilt made him hesitate, and he was silent 
so long that all eyes were upon him, as he 
answered, — 

“No, sir, I do not know as I did.” 

“ Were you down street this afternoon ? ” 
asked Mr. Keed, of Philip. 

“Yes, sir.” 

“ For what ? ” 

“ Of — of some errands, sir.” 

“ Whose errands, and who was with 
you ? ” 


HUMAN WEAKNESS. 


215 


“ No one, sir.” 

As the boy did not finish the sentence, 
Mr. Reed told him to go to the small room 
adjoining the study. The school-boys had 
named the room “ Purgatory,” and Philip 
felt ashamed to enter it, for he had boasted, 
over and over, that he should never be 
obliged to cross its threshold. When his 
teacher entered the room, and Philip saw 
the former’s stern looks, he wished, oh, so 
ardently, that he had not committed trespasses 
such as to bring him into trouble. It was 
too late then, however ; little by little, the 
whole story came out, and the whole course 
of disobedience was fully confessed. Indeed, 
it was almost a relief to Philip when Mr. 
Reed knew all, although the former felt 
thoroughly ashamed to be obliged to own it. 

Of course, it was known that another boy 


216 


THE SILVER LINING. 


was implicated in the transaction, but Philip 
would only speak of himself. However, Mr. 
Reed had noticed the growing intimacy be- 
tween Philip and Stephen, and was sure that 
the latter had led Philip into sin. So calling 
Stephen into another room, Mr. Reed ques- 
tioned him ; he denied everything, and was 
very rude and insolent ; in that respect ap- 
pearing wholly different from his compan- 
ion. 

. Neither of the boys went that night to 
their own sleeping-rooms, but alone they each 
spent its hours. Philip slept but little, he 
feared what might be the consequence of his 
misconduct. To be expelled from school, be 
obliged to return to Greenville in disgrace ; 
how could he bear the scorn of his compan- 
ions, and the grief of Nannie and his par- 
ents ? 


HUMAN WEAKNESS. 


21T 


Then, too, Mr. Allen, who had been so 
kind to him ; why did not Philip remember 
all this before he had yielded to temptation ? 
Why, indeed ? Was it not because he had felt 
secure in his own strength, that Satan had at- 
tained such power over him ? 

The next day, also, Philip spent alone ; his 
meals were brought to him by a servant, but 
no words were spoken, and the boy had am- 
ple time for reflection. To a boy of Philip’s 
active temperament, the solitude was severe 
punishment. It was not until nearly night, 
that Mr. Peed entered the little apartment, 
and Philip felt sure that his teacher had come 
to dismiss him from the school. 

This was what Mr. Reed had thought se- 
riously of doing. His rules were few, but he 
expected entire obedience to them from those 
under his charge, and none before had ever 


218 


THE SILVER LINING. 


gone SO far in disobedience as these two boys 
had done. Stephen was already dismissed, 
but Mr. Reed hesitated in regard to Philip ; 
partly because of Mr. Allen’s testimony to 
the former’s good name ; but mostly on ac- 
count of Philip’s correct behavior when he 
first come to Maplewood, and the subdued 
and penitent aspect of the lad’s appearance 
now. 

Mr. Reed had a long and faithful talk with 
him, finally granting forgiveness to the boy, 
on condition that he would, in writing, make 
a full and entire confession of his delinquen- 
cies, to be read in the presence of all the mem- 
bers of the school. It was a hard condition, 
but, as it was the only one, Philip was glad to 
avail hi/nself of it. That evening was occu- 
pied by him in preparing his confession, and 
the next forenoon, after all lessons had been 


HUMAN WEAKNESS. 


219 


recited by the school, Philip entered the hall. 
All eyes were fixed on him, for all knew he 
had been in disgrace. He was very pale, 
but he went forward to the platform, and 
handed Mr. Reed a paper. The gentleman 
glanced over it, touched a little bell to signi- 
fy that he wished attention from the scholars, 
and then proceeded to read aloud the con- 
tents of the paper. 

As may be supposed, there was perfect si- 
lence in the room during the reading ; some 
few of the boys looked exultant that Philip 
had fallen into temptation ; but many more 
were grieved both for him and Mr. Reed. 

As the closing bell was rang, few stirred 
on their seats ; Philip hastily went to his 
own, where, bowing his head upon the desk, 
he remained until he thought all had left the 
room. He longed to be alone, ,but, looking 


220 


THE SILVER LINING. 


Tip, he saw that Carl Lincoln was standing 
close beside him. Philip’s eyes dropped as 
he encountered Carl’s gaze, but the latter, 
putting his arm upon Philip’s shoulder, 
said, — 

“ I am sorry for you ; but you only have to 
begin again, now.” 

“ But,” answered Philip, “ I did not sup- 
pose you, nor any other of the boys, would 
ever speak to me again.” 

“That would be a poor way,” said Carl, 
“ to comfort you. I do not beheve in treating 
a fellow so. It is most dinner-time, do you 
not want to go upstairs and get ready ? ” 

Philip was glad to do anything to forget 
himself, so he gladly rose from his seat, and 
with Carl went up stairs. On their way, 
several of the boys passed the two, either 
going up or coming down, one or two spoke 


HUMAN WEAKNESS. 


221 


kindly to Philip, but the most passed him in 
silence ; or, what was even harder for him to 
bear, whistled their contempt of him, as only 
school-boys know how. 

Neither Carl nor Philip took any notice of 
this, except as the cheeks of both boys grew 
more and more red, till they landed at their 
own door. It opened, and Henry Parker 
with Edward Norton came out: they both 
stopped, held the door back as far as possible, 
to allow the others to enter without touching 
them. The act and the manner of doing it 
were very rude ; but Philip was beyond being 
affected by even that. Edward, however, 
did not content himself with acts ; his words 
were extremely sarcastic, for they were, 

“ How soon do you expect to be asked to 
ride into Boston, Philip? 

It was Carl who turned round, indignantly 
crying, “For shame, Ned.” 


222 


THE SILVER LINING. 


But Ned and Henry were out of siglit and 
hearing, and then Philip was not ashamed to 
let Carl see the tears that were running down 
his cheeks. 

Philip longed then to see his mother and 
Nannie ; but Carl proved a good com- 
forter. The former did not wish to go into 
the dining-hall, but Carl represented that it 
would only he postponing a trying act ; 
that whenever Philip should go, it must be a 
great effort, and that nothing would be 
gained by waiting. 

So, before the bell rang, the two boys went 
down stairs ; fortunately they did not meet 
any of their companions. Mrs. Reed and 
Ida were in the room as the boys entered it ; 
the former met Philip on the threshold, and, 
stooping down to him, she kissed his forehead. 
It was a most kind act ; and Carl, as well as 


HUMAN WEAKNESS. 


223 


Philip, thanked her in their hearts for this 
token of affection. Ida looked her pleasure 
at seeing him once more beside her. The 
boys now came pouring in — those who were 
nearest him, bowing coldly, or not recogniz- 
ing him at all. But Philip did not care ; he 
still felt the motherly kiss of Mrs. Reed upon 
his forehead. 

Looking up once, to reply to some ques- 
tion of Carl’s, Philip met Mary Reed’s eye. 
She was talking gayly with Henry Parker, 
but smiled pleasantly at Philip, saying, — 

“We are all glad to see you once more 
with us, Philip.” 

There yet remained some trying things for 
Philip ; a long interview with Mr. Allen fol- 
lowed dinner; and then the writing of a 
letter by Philip to his mother. The first 
was comparatively easy ; for Mr. Allen, sure 


224 


THE SILVER LINING. 


of the boy’s penitence for the past, was con- 
fident that in the future there would be no 
recurrence of the transgression. 

^ But the letter home ! how it would grieve 
his mother; he felt, at first, that her heart 
would be broken to hear the sad story, and 
that, at any rate, she must never know how 
far he had gone in sin. His feelings were, 
however changed, after he had talked the 
subject over with Mr. Allen. The latter did 
not advise to either course ; but Philip knew 
his friend considered it the more honorable 
method for him to conceal nothing from his 
parents. So Philip spoiled more than one 
sheet of paper, before he could write his let- 
ter, so as to satisfy himself ; and, finally, as 
Mr. Allen was to leave Maplewood the next 
morning, Philip sent off his epistle without 
beins: satisfied with it. It was as follows : — 


HUMAN WEAKNESS. 


225 


“ April, 10, 18 — 

“ My dear Mother : 

“ If I were not your boy, I should be sure 
that you would hardly love me again, when 
I tell you how wicked I have been. You 
know I used to boast that I never told a lie ; 
but for a good many weeks I have been act- 
ing lies. I am ashamed of myself, and hope 

I never shall do so again. I do not dare to 

y 

say I will not^ for I have seen how weak I 
am. 

“ O mother ! I have longed so much to see 
you the past week, and Nannie, too. If I 
had only been as careful, as she is, not to do 
wrong, it would have been a great deal better 
for me. But I mean to try hard the rest of 
the year, and hope to win back my good 
name. 

‘‘ I have not time to write all that you ought 


226 


THE SILVER LINING. 


to hear ; but Mr Allen knows all, and he will 
tell you. I hope father will not be sorry 
that he gave his consent for me to come to 
Maplewood. I am sure I am sorry that I 
have grieved you both so much. If I had 
not forgotten God, I should not have been so 
wicked. 

“ My love to Nannie. I know she could not 
help loving me, whatever I should do ; but I 
hope never to grieve her again in this way. 

“ It is time for me to go to my lessons, and 
I must bid you all good-by. 

‘‘ Your affectionate son, 

“ Philip Preston.” 

This letter caused both joy and sorrow to 
the boy’s parents, as they read it ; they were 
grieved that he had so far forgotten their 
faithful instructions, as to act the part of a 


HUMAN WEAKNESS. 


227 


deceiver ; at the same time, they rejoiced in 
the evidence of his penitence, and that he 
felt his dependence upon higher strength than 
his own, to keep him in the right way. 

Nannie, too, could hardly believe that it 
was her brother Philip who had gone so far 
astray ; he had been her ideal of all that was 
noble and manly, and it was very hard for 
her to find that her idol was only clay. 


CHAPTER XII. 


CONTRASTS. 

“ God does not say, ‘ Be beautiful, be wise. 

Be aught that man in man will overprize ; * 

Only, ‘ Be good,’ the tender Father cries.” 

ANNIE had not been free from trial 
in her life, but had found out that 
there was more evil in her heart than 
she had ever imagined possible. The com- 
panionship of Sophia had been the cause of 
many new pleasures to Nannie ; but, as with 
all of earth’s enjoyments, sorrow had come 
also. 

Sophia had been greatly indulged, — every 
whim and wish gratified by her parents, — 
( 228 ) 



CONTRASTS. 


229 


and she was selfish, as children trained like 
her always are. She was constantly sending 
for Nannie to come to the Mansion House ; 
but, when there, the latter must do precisely 
as Sophia desired, if there were to be peace 
between the two. Nannie did not always 
wish to yield her preferences ; she, too, liked 
her own way. Having been so long an in- 
valid, she had received many indulgences, 
which, under other chcumstances, her mother 
would have denied her child. 

With Mr. Allen, too, Nannie had been 
a great favorite, and it had been pleasant to 
her to feel that she was very important to 
his happiness ; but now, Sophia, his own 
grandchild, an inmate of his house, was 
nearer to him than Nannie, who was startled 
more than once to find, in her heart, feelings 
of regret that Sophia had ever come to 
Greenville to live. 


230 


THE SILVER LINING. 


One day they had been remarkably happy 
together, — each had yielded more than 
usual to the other, — when, suddenly, Sophia 
threw down the perforated paper she was 
working, saying, — 

“ Come, Nannie ; let us go to the garden- 
er’s cottage.” 

“Oh, I do not want to go until I have 
finished this book-mark, Sophia ; wait, wont 
you ? ” 

“ No,” answered Sophia ; “ I am tired of 
sewing, and I am going now, and you must 
come, too.” 

Nannie’s face looked almost as red as So- 
phia’s, as the former replied, — “Well, you 
may go alone, then ; I shall stay here until 
I get my work done.” 

“ But grandpa said, Nannie, that you 
were to go with me ; and I shall tell him 
how cross you were.” 


CONTRASTS. 


231 


Nannie was about to persist in her refusal 
to go ; but sbe dearly loved Mr. Allen, and, 
if he wanted her to accompany Sophia, Nan- 
nie would not refuse again. So, throwing 
down their work, they were off. There was 
company at the tea-table, — no one Nannie 
had ever seen before, — and she missed her 
usual merry chat with Mr. Allen. 

When the party adjourned to the library, 
after supper, the first objects that met his 
eye were the work-boxes of the two girls, 
and their contents scattered about in every 
direction. . This was contrary to all rule, so 
he called the young people to come in, and 
put them away. Sophia, as usual, was no- 
where to be found ; so Nannie had it all to 
do. She thought it very hard ; for she sa\\ 
Mr. Allen was displeased, and his displeasure 
was hard to bear. She knew that, if she 


232 


THE SILVER LINING. 


had done as she preferred to do, all would 
have been left in order ; hut there was no 
opportunity for her to explain, and Mr. 
Allen said, as she gathered up her working 
materials, — 

“ I cannot understand why you two girls 
cannot learn to put away your things at the 
right time. You must not bring them into 
the library, if you leave it in such a state 
again.” 

And Nannie knew by his manner,’ when 
she hade him good-night, that he still thought 
her regardless of his wishes. Sophia had 
been charming the guests by her lively sing- 
ing, and Nannie, as she saw Sophia kiss and 
hug her grandfather, thought to herself that 
he did not blame Sophia as much as he did 
herself. 

Nannie went to bed, that night, very un- 


CONTRASTS. 


233 


happy ; she envied Sophia her pretty face 
and figure, with her taking ways. ^ The 
former wondered why it was that God had 
made her lame and not remarkably attractive 
in any respect ; while to Sophia, beauty, 
talents, and many friends had been given in 
such large measure. Nor did Nannie wake 
up in any better mood, and, when she saw 
her father come for her, soon after breakfast, 
she was glad enough. She parted from So- 
phia very coldly, disregarding the latter’s 
earnest entreaties to come again soon ; for 
Sophia, less sensitive than Nannie, had for- 
gotten all the subjects of disagreement be- 
tween herself and her friend. 

At home Nannie felt ashamed to show her 
wrono; feelinois : but what is in the heart will 
reveal itself in some way. When Josie 
Curtis came in after dinner, she was full of 


234 


THE SILVER LINING. 


% 

inquiries as to Nannie’s visit. For to all the 
children in Greenville, Sophia seemed like a 
princess, because of her beautiful face and 
rich dresses, and, as Nannie was her princi- 
pal playmate, the latter was often visited by 
those who wished to hear about Sophia. 

So to-day Josie had many questions to ask ; 
but Nannie was not disposed to gratify her 
friend. Indeed, her answers were so un- 
satisfactory that Mrs. Preston, at last, no- 
ticing Josie’s disappointed looks, took part 
in the conversation, and thus obliged her 
daughter to be more civil in her replies. 

It must not be supposed however, that 
Nannie did not suffer, for indulging these 
wrongs feelings. When Josie had gone 
home, and their house was quiet, then 
conscience began to testify to Nannie, how 
sinful had been her thoughts and feel- 


CONTRASTS. 


235 ' 


ings. She knew her principal sorrow 
arose from the displeasure of her earthly 
friend, and that she had wholly forgotten 
that her Best Friend was far more grieved. 
Over and over she reviewed the events 
of the day before, and saw, that although 
Sophia had not been without fault, still 
her own sin was far greater ; and Nan- 
nie was very penitent as she bade hei 
mother good-night. 

She saw very plainly that Sophia’s 
companionship was an injury rather than 
a benefit; and once or twice, the follow 
ing week, Nannie declined an invitation 
to visit Sophia. But Sophia was not wil- 
ling to be denied ; opposition to any of 
her wishes only made her more earnest 
in her desire for their -gratification, and 
Nannie was sorely tried. She knew not 


236 


THE SILVER LINING. 


what her duty was; sometimes she yielded 
where' she knew it was sin for her to do 
so ; and then again refused compliance 
when it was her plain duty to yield. 

About this time, anxiety in regard to 
Philip’s silence turned her thoughts away 
from herself ; and while Mr. Allen was 
away from his home, l^annie was decided 
in her refusal to visit Sophia. The lat- 
ter Nannie knew would be offended by 
the decision ; but she felt she was in the 
•right as Mrs. Willis was little restraint upon 
her child, and Nannie was afraid to trust 
herself in the way of temptation. 

It so happened that she was all alone in 
the house when Mr. Allen came to see them 
after his return from Maplewood : and sad 
as the tidings he brought her from her 
brother made her feel, still she enjoyed 


CONTRASTS. 


237 


every moment of the gentleman’s call ; 
while he in turn was more than once re- 
minded of his early acquaintance with her,, 
and of the little girl whose sermons proved 
such powerful preaching to him. Something 
of these feelings were expressed on both 
sides, and Nannie learned from his own lips, 
that he had not been unmindful of her trials. 

I have seen it all, Nannie, ” he said, 

“ and have tried to help you. But you must 
remember that Sophia is a spoiled child ; she 
has never received any religious instruc- 
tion from her parents, and I hope great 
things from her constant companionship 
with you.” 

Nannie saw more clearly, after her friend 
had left her, where the difficulty lay: she 
had been looking after her own happiness, 
more than seeking that of others, and not in ^ 


THE SILVER LINING. 


238 . 

her own strength she sought that she might 
be enabled to love Sophia, even as she did 
herself. .. ' , 

It was the next week that Mr. Allen 
with Sophia came to see Nannie ; they were 
going to the next town, and wanted Nannie’s 
company. But she had been left in charge 
of the house, and was obliged to decline the 
ride. Sophia was greatly disappointed, and 
finally said she too would remain. So her 
grandfather left her, not without some mis- 
givings; nor were his fears wholly ground- 
less, for Sophia soon became tired of the 
small house, and wished for a change. 

Nannie did all she could to entertain her 
visitor, bringing out for her inspection, all 
her treasures ; Sophia handled them as if 
she little realized what their value was to 
their owner. These treasures were nfore in 


CONTRASTS. 


239 


number than they had been two or three 
years before ; but now they were mostly 
composed of books, pictures, and papers. 

A small writing-desk and work-box 
both gifts from Mr. Allen, the duplicates of 
which Sophia herself possessed, were the 
only elegant articles in Nannie’s drawer; 
but this same drawer was evidently very 
precious to Nannie. After Sophia had ex- 
amined everything, she said to Nannie, — 

“ Suppose a good fairy should come into 
this room, this minute ; what should you 
ask him for ? ” 

“ Ah, but I know he never will come ; , 
there are no fairies.” 

“ Do you not wish there were ? ” 

No,” said Nannie. 

“ But I do,” replied Sophia ; “ and I 
should ask for a guitar and a new silk dress, 


240 


THE SILVER LINING. 


and a pony. Now tell me Nannie you, what 
should ask for, if you could.’’ 

Nannie looked a little grave, as her com- 
panion was enumerating her desires, and 
as the former did not speak, Sophia asked 
again, — 

Do tell, Nannie.” 

“ I should like,” replied Nannie very slowly, 
I should like not to be lame any more, and 
to be able to walk and run as fast as you do. 
If that could be, there is nothing I should 
like so much — except,” — 

As she did not finish her sentence, Sophia 
asked, — 

“ Except what, Nannie ? ” 

“ Oh, I would ask first for it, Sophia ; if 
I could have all the wrong feelings taken out 
of my heart, I would be willing to be lame 
all ray life.” 


CONTRASTS. 


241 


“ But ” exclaimed Sophia, “I do not under- 
stand. How can you be willing to be lame ? 
I often think when I see you walk, that I 
would not he lame for all the world. 

“ No,” replied Nannie, “ I hope you 
never will be ; but I mean really, Sophia, 
that if the fairy were here this minute, and 
I could have only one gift, I think I should 
ask him for the goodness.” 

“ Well,” said Sophia, I think you would 

« 

be foolish if you did, for anybody can be 
good that wishes to be.” 

“ Oh ! ” answered Nannie, I do not find 
it so easy ; I wish I did.” 

Why, what do you do, Nannie, that is 
not right, I should like to know ? ” 

Nannie looked somewhat disturbed at the 
question, but finding that Sophia waited for 
an answer, replied, — 


242 


THE SILVER LINING. 


“ Why, I get angry and cross when 
things go wrong ; and sometimes when I 
am with you, I wish that God had made 
rile as handsome as you are.” 

“Well,” said Sophia, pleased with the 
compliment, “ it is not wrong to wish so, 
— is it?” 

“ Yes,” answered Nannie, “ I fear it is. I 
ought to he willing to be just as I am, for my 
heavenly Father knew what would he best 
for me, when he made me lame.” 

“ But,” said Sophia, “ I do not think it is 
wrong to wish to be handsome ; everybody 
likes beautiful people best.” 

As her grandfather came back just then, 
Sophia did not finish her sentence, and Nan- 
nie was spared the necessity of a reply. 
She felt that her companion had no real 
sympathy with her in her afSiction, and so 


CONTRASTS. 


243 


was glad to turn to other things. They 
were both glad to see Mr. Allen, and he 
had remembered them in his purchases. He 
had a large paper of candy in his hand, and 
asking Nannie for a plate, he divided the 
contents of the paper into two equal por- 
tions, giving one to each. 

Nannie was delighted with the unex- 
pected treat, and expressed her thanks to 
the giver very warmly ; but Sophia was evi- 
dently not quite pleased. She insisted upon 
it that Nannie’s share was larger than her 
own ; and as Nannie offered more than once 
to exchange with her, Sophia showed the 
real cause of her unhappiness, by saying, — 

“ I ought to have had more candy than 
Nannie, for I am your grandchild, and 
she’’ — 

“She,” interrupted Mr. Allen, “is your 


244 


THE SILVER LINING. 


grandfather’s very dear friend. I am ashamed 
of you, Sophia, for your selfishness.” 

Nannie’s face was clouded, as Sophia spoke ; 
but soon she appeared to recollect her good 
resolutions ; for going near to Mr. Allen, she 
said, very softly to him, — 

“ Sophia may have part of my candy ; I do 
not wish it all, and she is younger than I am.” 

Mr. Allen would not hear of any new 
division of the confectionery, and as Sophia 
refused to look pleasant again, her grand- 
father assisted her into his buggy, and the 
two drove off; leaving her companion glad 
that she was Nannie Preston, instead of 
Sophia Willis ; although the latter was rich 
and handsome. 


CHAPTER XIII. 


PROSPERITY. 

“ Trifles, lighter than straws, are levers in the building up 
of character.” . Tupper. 

spring came on very early that 
r, and Nannie enjoyed to the full 
T appearance of it. The cherry- 
tree in their little garden, its budding and 
blossoming, the dandelion and buttercup, 
even the green grass around their door-stone, 
brought pleasure with them. Nannie was a 
very early riser, but she often said that how- 
ever early she awoke, the birds were always 
up before her. 



( 245 ) 


246 


THE SILVER LINING. 


Then this year she had a flower-garden 
for her own particular care. At first, as 
John told her she might have what she chose 
from the greenhouse, she was for having 
every variety of shrub and flower in her 
little garden. But his council showed her 
how’ very foolish her plan would be ; so, as 
the principal object was to have flowers all 
the season, he made a tiny grass-plat in the 
centre, and surrounded it with a border, in 
which were scarlet and purple verbenas, 
heliotropes, and petunias, with all in a state 
of most luxuriant growth. In two of the 
corners of the little garden were fine scarlet 
geraniums, while in the opposite corners the 
double feverfew with its snow-white blossoms 
formed a pretty contrast to the brighter tints 
of the other flowers. Her mother’s favorite, 
mignonette, was not forgotten ; and as Mr. 


PROSPERITY. 


Ml 


Preston petitioned for a morning-glory, the 
frame that he made for it to run upon was 
before the end of summer fairly covered with 
flowers. 

Inside, too, the house was changed ; Mr. 
Preston had had steady employment ever 
since he had been employed by Mr.. Allen. 
All for whom he worked asked for his ser- 
vices again ; what he promised to do was 
always done at the time named ; his wife had 
ceased her labors for the support of the fam- 
ily. All the comforts of life they now freely 
enjoyed, and the little cottage came to be too 
strait for them. But its associations were 
too sacred for any of the family to wish to 
leave it ; so during the summer the second 
story was made upright, and an ell was 
added besides to the main house. In .this ell 
were a new kitchen with every convenience, 


248 


THE SILVER LINING. 


and a cosey little chamber over it foi Nannie’s 
especial use and convenience. 

Unknown to Nannie, Mr. Allen requested 
that he might have the privilege of furnish- 
ing her apartment, and it was so contrived 
by him that she spent a week at the Mansion 
House, while the new carpet and furniture 
were being arranged. They were all in ex- 
cellent taste, but yet wholly suitable for the 
room for which they were designed. 

Philip had been informed of all that was 
going on at home ; out of the small amount 
of spending money that Mr. Allen allowed 
him, the former had for some time been lay- 
ing by a little every week, to be expended in 
a present for Nannie. Her taste for pictures 
he had not forgotten; so stating his wishes to 
Mr. Peed anil his desire that Carl and Ida 
should assist him in the selection of the en- 


PROSPERITY. 


249 


graving, the three young people were allowed 
one cool morning in July to go into Boston 
and buy the picture. Mrs. Reed accompan- 
ied them to the city ; but as she had shopping 
of her own to do, she parted from them at 
Winter Street. 

What Ida Reed had thought would be an 
easy thing to do, proved to be very difficult. 
She had no idea there were so many beauti- 
ful pictures from which to select, and she 
looked from one to the other in perfect as- 
tonishment. But decide they must, and soon 
all three were agreed upon one called “ The 
Motherless.” 

All the young people rejoiced that they 
did not know by sad experience the grief of 
the stricken sisters ; but while they pitied 
them, they could not but admire the beauty 
of the engraving. And Philip was sure that 


250 


THE SILVER LINING. 


it would not fail to please Nannie better even 
than any more sprightly subject they might 
have chosen. 

Carl was not quite satisfied with the pur- 
chase as it was, and he asked his friend as a 
great favor, that he might be allowed to have 

m 

the picture framed. Philip hesitated at first, 
but Carl insisted ; so a simple gilt frame was 
sought and found, for which Carl paid most 
gladly. Then Ida purchased the small red 
cord by which this same picture was to be 
suspended from the ceiling ; so that all the 
three felt a peculiar interest in the purchase 
of the morning. 

Philip wrote to his sister a glowing account 
of his day in Boston; it was his first for 
many months, and every moment was en- 
joyed by him. He had told of the interest 
Carl and Ida had taken in the purchase, and 


PROSPERITY. 


251 


what they had done to enhance its value. 
Near the close of the letter he said with 
truth, — 

“ Our day was delightful ; we went to the 
common where I saw for the first time the 
dear deer, then to Federal Street, to the store of 
CarPs uncle. The gentleman was very kind, 
giving us full permission to look at every- 
thing in the store, and he gave us each some- 
thing to remember him by. When we had 
seen all, he took us to a printing establish- 
ment. I wish you could have been with us, 
Nannie, — it was so wonderful to see books 
and papers printed so rapidly. 

“ At noon we met Mrs. Reed at Copeland’s 
store, where you went with Mr. Allen ; we 
had our dinner there. Everything was 
charming ; the fountain, the flowers, and the 
birds, not to speak of the pies and cakes I 


252 


THE SILVER LINING. 


“ The ride home was very^ very pleasant, but 
I enjoyed most of all the hour we spent in 
selecting your picture, Nannie. For I feel 
every day I live, dear sister, how much I 
owe to you. I used to think that a girl 
could never be equal to a boy in anything ; 
but I have altered my mind now. I am sure 
if I can for the rest of my life be half the 
comfort to our parents that you have always 
been, it will fully satisfy me. 

“ I wish I were coming home with the pic- 
ture, but I hope to see you all in a fortnight, 
and then what a pleasant month we will 
have together ! 

“Is not Mr. Allen very kind to do so much 
for us ? I am so glad to go to school another 
year ; buj I hardly dared hope I might do so. 
We have had the last term, a very superior 
drawing teacher, and I heard him tell Mr. 


PROSPERITY. 


253 


Reed, the other day, that I was his best 
scholar. It did not make me vain, as it once 
would ; but I was glad to know he thought 
so, because I hope one day to make the talent 
of use in some way.’’ 

When Nannie came home from the Man- 
sion House, Sophia accompanied her. The 
latter had only been informed that morning, 
of what was to be such a pleasant surprise to 
Nannie ; but Sophia, for once, seemed pleased 
at the idea of her grandfather’s generosity. 
She desired very much to carry something 
ornamental for the little room ; and went to 
Mr. Allen for the money with which to pur- 
chase it. But he, wishing to test her affec- 
tion for her friend, insisted that if she gave 
anything, it must be some article she already 
possessed. For her own sleeping-room was 
filled with beautiful things, and he knew one 
or two would not be missed. 


254 


THE SILVER LINING. 


So Sophia, for the first time in her life, 
went to her room with a generous purpose. 
Several motives actuated her, to be sure; 
she knew very well that what she carried 
would he known as her gift, — that people 
would praise her for giving it. She dearly 
loved praise ; yet it would be self-denial for So- 
phia to give any of her precious things away. 
She stood and looked at them all ; there were 
her stuffed birds, her pretty work-basket, her 
cologne bottle, her gold pen and pencil, — all 
were valuable to her as gifts, or as very nec- 
essary to the beauty of the apartment. 

Nor were these all ; she could look in no 
corner, but what she saw some pretty thing 
or other; and then her eye fell upon two 
small Parian vases. How often had Nannie 
held them in her hand, admiring, as she gazed 
at them. The tiny humming-bird, so beau- 


PROSPERITY. 


255 


tifully painted upon one, and the moss-rose 
bud upon the other. Could Sophia give up 
one of these, or was the sacrifice too great a 
one? 

Long she thought of it ; but finally decided 
the bird should go, as that she knew to be the 
one Nannie preferred. Then, fearing her 
resolution should give way, Sophia ran to tell 
her grandfather her decision. She had never 
seen him so pleased with her ; he embraced 
her again and again, called her his dear grand- 
child, and the latter even saw a tear in his 
eye as he spoke. 

Then he suggested that she should carry a 
bouquet to place in the vase, and told her to 
ask the gardener to give her some of his rarest 
flowers for the purpose. So that the basket, 
in which she carried both vase and flowers to 
Nannie’s home, was a great mystery to the 
latter. IMore than once, she asked, — 


256 


THE SILVER LINING. 


“ What have you in that basket, Sophia, 
covered up so closely ? ’’ 

But the only answer she obtained was, “ If 
I wanted you to see, Nannie, I should not 
have covered the basket ! ” 

When they entered Nannie’s home, Sophia 
disappeared for a moment, although she was 
again at her friend’s side, before she had been 
missed. And then, accompanied by the older 
people, the two girls went all over the house. 
The old kitchen had been transformed into a 
pleasant sitting-room ; that and the parlor 
were carpeted just alike, and new furniture 
in the latter room. None of it was expensive ; 
but Nannie, — who had been present at all the 
consultations her parents had held over these 
same purchases, when they had often won- 
dered and planned how a little money could 
buy a great deal, — she thought it was very 


PROSPERITY. 


257 


remarkable, that all the new things had been 
bought and paid for. Mr. Allen’s gift to 
Mrs. Preston had been a large, handsome 
family Bible, with a small table for it to rest 
upon. It occupied a conspicuous place in 
the little parlor, and was a great ornament to 
it. Hester had covered the back and seat 
an old-fashioned chair with silk patchwork ; 
while Nannie, with Hester’s assistance, had 
made a large footstool in the same way, of 
pieces of merino. 

One bedroom remained, as of old, on the 
lower floor ; but the other had been changed 
into a bathing-room. Small it still was, but 
large enough to be of great comfort to tlie 
little family. The upper story, they found to 
be as plain as plain could be ; but Mr. Allen 
said no rooms could look nicer than they did. 
Then they all passed through the little entry. 


17 


258 


THE SILVER LINING. 


to the new apartment; Nannie and Sophia 
going first. The others were near enough to 
hear the delighted exclamations of the chil- 
dren, particularly of Sophia; for Nannie was 
too full of joy to express her feelings. 

She well knew to whom she was indebted 
for all the beautiful things that met her eye ; 
they must be the gifts of her dear friend, Mr. 
Allen ; and she cried and laughed by turns, 
as she surveyed them all. Then she discov- 
ered the picture upon the wall. It had a 
slip of paper attached to it, on which was 
written, — 

“ For Nannie, from Carl, Philip, and Ida.” 

Her brother’s note she hastily read ; but 
Nannie did not take in all its meaning, for, 
just then, her eye rested upon a little round 
table, just like the one in their parlor. On 
it, was Sophia’s vase, with the sweet fiowers 


PllOSPEEITY. 


259 


in it. How came tliat vase in her room ? was 
Nannie’s first thought. As she turned round 
to look at Sophia, the latter answered her 
friend’s questioning glance, by the words, — 

“ Do you not wish Nannie, you could see 
now, what was in my basket ? I was only 
bringing your vase in it, — that Was all I ’’ 

So the old thought came again to Nannie’s 
mind, — “ Why is it that every one is so 
very kind to me ? ” 

And Sophia, almost for the first time in 
her life, tasted the luxury of self-denial to 
make another happy ; for, going home that 
night, she said, more than once, to her grand- 
father, — 

“ I wonder why it was, that I felt so glad 
to see Nannie’s pretty room. I was just as 
happy as if it had been my own.” 

Nor was her joy any the less, when her 


2(30 


THE SILVER LINING. 


grandfather replied, — “I hope, Sophia, it is 
that you are learning now, in your youth, 
what it took me long years to learn, — that 
‘ It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” 
This little incident was a great comfort to 
Mr. Allen. Sophia’s traits of character, so 
like her mother’s, had been the cause of 
much anxiety to him. By precept and ex- 
ample he had sought, ever since his grand- 
child came to live with him, to show her the 
evils of selfishness, and to lead her to deny 
herself for others’ gratification. Often he 
had been wholly discouraged; but now, he 
hoped that the consistent life of her friend 
Nannie was having its desired effect upon 
Sophia’s heart. He remembered the hymn, 

“ Sow in the morn thy seed, 

At eve hold not thy hand;' 

To doubt and fear give thou no heed, 

Broadcast it o’er the land. 


PROSPERITY. 


261 


“ The good, the fruitful ground 
Expect not here nor there ; 

O’er hill and dale, by spots, ’tis found. 
Go forth, then, everywhere. 

“ And duly shall appear, 

In verdure, beauty, strength. 

The tender blade, the stalk, the ear, 
And the full corn at length.” 


4 - 


CHAPTER XIV. 

INFLUENCE. 

“ Real glor}’’ springs from the silent conquest of ourselves.” 

HILIP came home, as he had ex- 
pected to do, the second week in 
August, and he received a warm 
welcome from every one of the family. His 
father was intending to go to the station to 
meet him ; but Philip came in an earlier 
train, and, as his mother said, found some 
friend to bring him home. She never knew 
his good fortune to fail, and she smiled when 
he entered, and told of his ride in Mr. Cook’s 
buggy. 



(262) 


INFLUENCE. 


263 


Nannie could hardly believe her own eyes, 
Philip had grown so tall ; she thought peo- 
ple would not know him at first, although 
she affirmed his face had not changed at all. 
It had always been a matter of joy to her 
that, as she had been denied the charm of 
beauty, Philip possessed it in so large a 
measure. He listened to all she had to say, 
evidently pleased at the entire love and con- 
fidence she manifested in him ; and, as she 
said, again, “ I did not think you would be 
so very tall,” he replied, — 

“ But, Nannie, I am^ seventeen years old, 
— almost twenty-one, you see ; and so I 
ought to be tall. I mean to be famous one 
of these days, and so I have been growing 
as fast as I could all the year.” 

But Philip’s increased height did not pre- 
vent him fi’om entering fully into all his 


264 


THE SILVER LINING. 


sister’s plans for his vacation. Every day 
was occupied in some way, and rainy days 
were spent in Nannie’s pleasant chamber. 
Sophia was very neighborly. Indeed she 
came to see them sometimes when Nannie 
wanted her brother all to herself. More 
than once Nannie showed her visitor a little 
of her inhospitable feeling ; not without 
much after-regret, however, that she had 
done so. 

But Philip was Nannie’s great pride and 
joy, and Sophia had many sources of pleasure 
unknown to her qpmpanion. Then, too, 
when Sophia was with them, she engrossed 
all of Philip’s attention, and he, looking 
upon her only as a petted child, did just as 
she said. This did not, of course, please his 
sister; she had -lived upon the thought of 
his vacation, as a time when he would be 


INFLUENCE. 


265 


hers alone, and it was with peculiar satisfac- 
tion that, one morning when she awoke 
early, she heard the rain pattering against 
her windows. 

‘‘ Now,” thought she, no one will dis- 
turb us all day.” 

Sui^ enough, the brother and sister had 
an uninterrupted forenoon. Philip had 
brought all his drawings home with him, 
and he spread them out for his sister’s in- 
spection. They were mostly of wheels and 
bridges, and when she laughed at him that 
he had made so many drawings of them, he 
said, — 

“ But you, do not understand, Nannie, I 
hope one day to build bridges as well as 
draw them.” 

As she found how enthusiastic he was 
she entered into all his explanations, with 


266 


THE SILVER LINING. 


great interest; asking a great many ques- 
tions, and remembering what he told her. 

She was still more pleased, when drawing 
the little vase toward him, he proceeded 
to draw the humming-bird, which was 
upon^ it. She told him its history, and 
what a day of surprises the one w^ when 
her pretty room was first seen by her, . 
after it was all arranged. 

“ Your picture, too, Philip ; I wrote to 
you how much I liked it, but I have been 
longing to see you face to face, to tell 
you. And Carl and Ida, I wonder how 
they came to be so much interested in me.” 

“They could not help it,” said Philip; 
“ I told them what a dear sister you were, 
the first night I went to Maplewood, and 
I used to read them your letters.” 

' “ Did they know,” asked Nannie, a 

little timidly, “ that I am lame ? ” 


INFLUENCE. 


267 


“ Oh, yes,” said Philip ; “ and when I 
told them how much you did every day to 
help mother, Ida said, she thought you did 
more with your one foot than most people 
did with two. And Carl said it was pos- 
sible he might come here this vacation; he 
was going a journey with his uncle, the 
one I saw in Boston ; and, if he could per- 
suade his uncle, they should come to Green- 
ville. I wish they would, for I should like 
you to see Carl. He is the best friend I 
have among the boys.” 

Then Philip told Nannie, how kind Carl 
^ had been to him when other boys had been 
cold and distant. Often and often, he said 
he should have given up in despair, and 
not tried to do right; but Carl would 
come along, and, in some way, show him 
that he was his friend. 


268 


THE SILVER LINING. 


I have learned a lesson from him,” 
said Philip ; “if any one is in trouble, or is 
likely to be neglected in any way, Carl is 
always the one to help them. It is more 
wonderful, because his parents are richer 
thaij^ any other boy’s in school ; but Carl 
never seems at all set up.” 

“I like that,” said Nannie; “I should 
like very much to see him.” 

Just then, Mrs. Preston summoned them 
to dinner, and while Nannie was assisting 
her mother, after dinner, some one knocked 
at their door. Philip went to open it. 
His exclamation of joy caused his sister 
to drop the dish she held in her hand, and 
it broke into a dozen pieces. As it was 
cracked before, not many regrets were 
wasted upon its loss; for soon Philip came 
to tell that the visitors were no other than 


INFLUENCE. 


269 


Caul Lincoln and his uncle, Mr. George 
Loring. 

Nannie only waited to change her dress, 
and then went in the parlor to see Philip’s 
friends. She dreaded it a little, notwith- 
standing her desire to see Carl ; hut she had 
not been in the room five minutes, before 
she felt at ease. Carl shook hands with 
her as if she were an old acquaintance, 
and his uncle had such a pleasant face and 
manner that he seemed at once like a 
friend. When Mrs. Preston joined them 
she found Mr. Loring talking with her 
husband, and the young people in a corner 
by themselves. Carl was speaking of a jour- 
ney he had taken, and of the camp-meeting 
he had attended, at Martha’s Vineyard, the 
week before. 

‘‘Oh,” said he, “ it was a fine sight to 


270 


THE SILVER LINING. 


see SO many people together, and the tents 
and houses so regularly built, and furnished 
so prettily. It was worth going for, and I 
enjoyed it very much.” 

“ But,” said Nannie, “ I do not under- 
stand; I thought you said it was a meet- 
ing. Were there no sermons preached, or 
prayers offered by the people?” 

“ Oh, yes,” said Carl ; “ Uncle George 
went to those, hut I did not, onty once, just 
to see how they were conducted. He will 
tell you all about them, if you want to 
know.” 

Mr. Loring, hearing his name spoken, 
came forward, and as Carl told him of 
Nannie’s inquiry, he interested them all 
by his graphic descriptions of the scenes 
he had witnessed the past week. He saw, 
by Nannie’s beaming face, that her interest 


INFLUENCE. 


271 


was not merely one of curiosity, and as 
the young men went out, between the drops, 
to view the garden, he said to Nannie, — 
“ And so you enjoy hearing sermons and 
attending prayer-meetings, Nannie ? I have 
heard about you before I ever saw you.’’ 
“How, sir, through Carl?’’ 

“ Oh, no, an older friend, one who loves 
you very much, Nannie” — 

She looked puzzled for a moment, as she 
thought over her older friends ; they were 
few in number. Could it be through Mr. 
Allen ? she ventured at last to ask ; and, 
much to her astonishment, she learned that 
it was in no other way that her fame 
had reached Mr. Loring’s ears. He had 
not, however, seen Mr. Allen smce the 
decided change in his character ; by let- 
ter, he had' learned of it, and of the child 


272 


THE SILVER LINING. 


who had been such a powerful instrument, 
in God’s hands, in accomplishing his 
purposes. 

“ God has wonderfully favored you, Nan- 
nie. You must love him the more for giving 
you such influence over others. It is a 
great talent, and you must consecrate it 
wholly to his service.’^ 

‘‘ But,” said Nannie, ‘‘ I am not talented 
at all; I cannot draw as Philip can, nor 
sing like Sophia Allen. I am not remark- 
able in any way. As my father says, I shine 
best in a corner.” 

“Well,” replied Mr. Loring, “ if the cor- 
ners of the room are all light, the centre 
will be, surely. Do you remember the 
hymn, — 

“ Jesus bids us shine 

With a pure, clear light ; 

Like a little candle 
Burning in the night. 


INFLUENCE. 


27B 


In the world is darkness, 

So we mast shine, 

You, in your small corner, 

\ And I in mine.” 

C 

“I never heard that- before, Mr. Loring, 
and I am glad you have repeated it ; for do 
you know it has made me feel real sad, 
sometimes, to think I could do so little for 
anybody. I know mother and Philip say 
a great deal about my making them happy, 
but I have thought it was their love for me, 
that made them partial. Do you really 
think, Mr. Loring, that influence over 
others is a talent that can be used for 
God?” 

“ Oh, yes, indeed ; God gives to us all, I 
think, some power of influencing others ; 
sometimes the gift is beauty, or music, or a 
pleasant voice, and kind words. Or, occasion- 
ally, he afflicts onf^n earlj^ youth, as he has 


18 


274 


THE SILVER LINING. 


you; and then he leads them, by his- Holy 
Spirit, to become his loving, obedient chil- 
dren. And when they desire to work for 
the Saviour, their very affliction is a means 
by which they can do good.” 

“Yes, I see ; Mr. Allen said once, he 
never should have noticed me so particularly 
if I had not been lame.” 

Just then, Philip with Carl, returned, and 
Mr. lioring said, they must go back to the 
hotel, but Mr. Preston, coming into the room, 
would not hear of any such plan. He said, 
they must spend the night ; and as Mrs. Pres- 
ton and Nannie seconded the invitation so 
heartily, and the former said their supper 
was all ready, Carl was rejoiced his uncle 
was so ready to stay. 

At night, Nannie was glad to give up her 
room to the strangers. -So very careful was 


INFLUENCE. 


275 


she to put all articles of her apparel out of 
sight, that perhaps the guests would not 
have suspected whose room they were oc- 
cupying, had not Carl- spied the pictures 
upon the wall, in the buying of which he 
had taken so much interest. 

In the morning, the four rode to the Man- 
sion House. The day was delightful, and 
Mr. Allen insisted that they all should remain 
until after dinner. Mr. Loring and he were 
alone two or three hours ; Nannie guessed 
the subject that was engrossing a large part 
of their conversation. Sophia looked re- 
markably handsome, even for her ; Carl was 
at onc6 captivated by her singing, although 
he did not let Nannie feel that she was neg- 
lected ; still she was keen enough to see that 
it was, as Sophia had once intimated, that 
beauty is very attractive to all people. 


276 


THE SILVER LINING. 


The knowledge did not bring sorrow with 
it to Nannie, however. She remembered 
beaut}’’ was only one gift ; there were others, 
less pleasing to men, but just as acceptable 
to God. 

Nannie was still thinking, when Mr. Allen 
and his friend joined the young people. 
Sophia rose from the piano, but was easily 
persuaded to sit down again. Whatever 
faults she possessed, she was always ready to 
sing and play, if any one wished her to do 
so. she had also, during the summer, been 
giving lessons in music to Nannie, who had 
a quick ear and a very sweet voice ; so now, 
the two sang several duets they had learned 
together. 

But all pleasures come to an end, and so 
did this visit : the dinner-bell rano; while 
Sophia was playing, and soon after dinner 


INFLUENCE. 


277 


Mr. Loring said, Carl and he must be on 
their way. Mr. Allen had his horses in readi- 
ness to take his visitors to the depot, and 
asked Philip to drive them there. There 
was room for only one of the girls to ride in 
the carriage, and Mr. Allen invited Nannie 
to go, but the latter saw a cloud on Sophia’s 
face, so she said, — 

“ Oh, no, Sophia must go instead of me.” 

Nannie secretly hoped her friend would in- 
sist upon her going, as Mr. Allen had proposed; 
but Sophia evidently did not think of such a 
thing ; it was her grandfather’s carriage, and 
she thought, of course, she should accompany 
his guests to the railroad station. 

As Carl bade Nannie good-by, he said, “ I 
have had such a pleasant visit, Nannie, and 
hope some time we shall meet again.” 

Mr. Loring’s parting words were, “ Be 


278 


THE SILVER LINING. 


sure and make your corner as bright as 
you can, so that a great many people will 
see its light. 

So, instead of dwelling upon her disappoint- 
ment, Nannie, after the riding party had 
gone, went to look for Hester. The latter 
was in her own room, and Nannie found it, 
too, had been refurnished since she had seen 
it. A new carpet was on the floor precisely 
like the one on her own chamber; and 
Hester said, as Nannie expressed her joy at 
the improvements she saw around her, — 

“ It is all Mr. Allen’s doing. A few^ weeks 
ago, he asked me if I had decided to remain 
as his housekeeper; for, a year ago, I had 
told him, I could only stay until this summer. 
But he is so changed, I have no wish to go 
away. Mrs. Willis will make her home 
here, of course, but she is so much of an in- 


INFLUENCE. 


279 


valid slie can take no care. Mr. Allen 
told me he was perfectly satisfied with me, 
and should be very sorry to part with me. 
So that, if nothing happens to prevent, I 
shall stay here, while I live.” 

Before supper-time, Nannie heard Sophia’s 
voice inquiring for her, and, going down- 
stairs, she soon saw that another stranger 
had arrived. It was a young lady, older 
than Sophia or Nannie; and although she 
spoke pleasantly to the latter, when Sophia 
introduced them to each other, still Nannie 
had reason to feel neglected more than once 
during the evening that followed. 

Miss Parker evidently belonged to a dif- 
ferent world from what Nannie lived in; 
she evidently thought herself much more of a 
lady. She did not show that she was superior 
to Nannie, only making her feel that she 


280 


THE SILVER LINING. 


SO. The old feelings came back to 
Nannie’s heart ; although she struggled to 
overcome them, still they marred her pleas- 
ure. She did, however, succeed in repress- 
ing any outward manifestation of them, so 
that neither Miss Parker nor Sophia guessed 
that they were in her heart. She did a 
greater thing than that ; just as she was 
leaving the Mansion House with Philip, Miss 
Parker spoke of a friend in the neighborhood, 
she wished to call upon the next day. But 
Sophia said, — 

“ I am afraid you cannot go to-morrow, for 
grandpa is going to Boston, with the only 
horse I can drive. The ‘ Major ’ and 
‘ Hero ’ are both of them too full of life, 
for me to manage, unless Philip can go and 
drive us. What say you, Philip ? ” 

Now, the next day Nannie had expected to 


INFLUENCE. 


281 


go for blueberries with Philip. V arious things 
had prevented before, but she had hoped there 
would be no hindrance that day. Could she 
give it up ? It seemed impossible ; but Nan- 
nie remembered her good resolutions, and at 
last, as Philip replied to Sophia, — 

“ I would go with pleasure, but to-morrow 
I have promised to devote to Nannie,” 

His sister said, “Perhaps, Philip, there 
will be another day as pleasant as this one 
for our expedition ; so, if Miss Parker and 
Sophia want your company, do not disappoint 
them.” 

Miss Parker could be as pleasant as any 
one when she was pleased, so, going toward 
Nannie, she said, — 

“You are a dear good girl to give up your 
pleasure for ours ; you must go with us to- 


morrow. ^ 


282 


THE SILVER LINING. 


So the four did go together, and each liked 
the other better for the day’s trip in company. 
Miss Parker found others, out of her own cir- 
cle, were equally intelligent and agreeable 
w'ith those in it; while Nannie learned not 
to condemn upon first appearance, but that 
every person had some good traits of charac- 
ter. 

The next day after, not only Nannie and 
Philip went on their expedition, hut their 
father and mother, together with Josie Curtis 
and her parents. They laid their plans to he 
gone all day, taking baskets of good things 
with them, sufiicient, Nannie thought, to last 
the party a week. But Mrs. Preston had 
learned by experience how great the appetite 
is of those whose who are in the woods and 
pastures all day; and it was proved before 
night that she knew the best what was 
needed. 


INFLUENCE. 


283 


The day was beautiful, the berries abun- 
dant, the party in a merry mood ; and, what 
was better than all else, Nannie had an ap- 
proving conscience, without which no amuse- 
ment, however delightful in itself, will satisfy 
any one. 


CHAPTER XV. 

STILL SHININJ. 

“ The good are better made by ill, 

As odors crushed are sweeter still.” 

Y the middle of September, Philip 
went again to school. The parting 
was less trying to his mother and sis- 
ter than before ; for although Philip gave no 
decided evidence of piety, still he was much 
more 'humble, and appeared to realize his ina- 
bility to keep himself in the right way. Mr. 
Preston accompanied him to school, as before, 
and on the journey gave him much good ad- 
vice. 



(284) 


STILL SHINING. 


285 


Philip’s ambition was none the less to be 
rich and famous sometime in the future ; but 
he saw very clearly that no such distinction 
would ever come to him without great labor. 
His father told him, — 

“ No one ever obtains anything worth get- 
ting, unless he works hard to obtain it ; and 
you will be no exception to the general rule. 
You must take care of the little actions of 
life, if you expect ever to win for yourself a 
great name. But remember, Philip, God’s 
favor is better than anything else you can 
gek” 

Philip had only been gone two weeks, 
when a private school was opened near Mrs. 
Preston’s for girls, about Nannie’s age ; and to 
the latter’s extreme delight, when Miss Clarke, 
the new teacher, called to see Mrs. Preston, 
and asked that her daughter might be one of 
her pupils, she gave her consent at once. 


286 


THE SILVER LINING. 


Nannie’s intimate friends, Sopliia and Josie, 
were tlie only scholars she recognized when 
she entered the pleasant school-room. But 
she was glad, among twenty girls near her own 
age, to find even two that she knew so well. 

She also found that a school-room is a good 
test of character ; that there, if anywhere, 
the young Christian will he tried ; and that 
she had need of all her patience and decision, 
before one week was over. She hoped to sit 
with her friends, but Miss Clarke decided 
otherwise. Josie quietly acquiesced in the 
decision, Sophia did not scruple to express- her 
displeasure at it, while Nannie by strong ef- 
fort only kept back the tears from her eyes, 
as she was assigned a seat between two stran- 
gers, neither of whose faces was particularly 
attractive to her. 

But she found them both agreeable girls. 


STILL SHINING. 


287 


and before the first month was passed, she liked 
them very much. Josie had been equally 
fortunate in her companions, but Sophia was 
very discontented. She tried to make Nan- 
nie so also, but not succeeding in that, she 
finally prevailed upon her to ask Miss 
Clarke that they two might sit together. At 
last, Nannie consented, as a favor to Sophia, to 
ask for it with what success will be seen. 
The two girls went together to Miss Clarke’s 
desk, and Nannie asked, — 

Are you willing. Miss Clarke that Sophia 
and I should sit together ? ” 

“ Why do you wish to change ? Do you 
not like your companions ? ”' 

“ Yes’m, very much, but Sophia does not 
like hers, and I ” — 

‘‘ I think,” replied Miss Clarke, “ that this 
term you had better remain as you are. 1 

4 * 


288 


THE SILVER LINING. 


intend to make some changes the next quar- 
ter. I shall probably seat my scholars accord- 
ing to the credit-marks they receive ; so if 
Sophia wishes a better location, she must 
earn it by her good behavior.” 

Sophia, as unruly scholars are apt to say^ 
said Miss Clarke was cross, not to let her do 
as she wished to do ; while her teacher had 
reason to think that Sophia was cross. 

As in every school there was great dif- 
ference in the recitations of the scholars; 
and for some time Nannie was puzzled that 
some, whom she knew did not study half 
as much as she did, made fewer errors in 
reciting. Especially in their history lesson, 
the dates and names were very hard for her 
to remember ; but Sophia rarely failed to re- 
peat them correctly. Once or twice Nannie 
declined a tea-visit at some school-mate’s 


f 


STILL SHINING. 


289 


house, in order to have a perfect recita- 
tion the next day. Sophia went and all 
the rest of her friends, and one or two 
laughed at Nannie for gi'vdng up a visit for 
a lesson. 

But both days after the visits, Nannie had 
missed ; and she thought it particularly hard 
because Sophia had told her she would get 
along just as well without so much study. 
It seemed so in this case, only, the second 
day, 'Nannie was sure she saw her friend 
Sophia, and Jane Pierce, who sat together, 
open their books just before Miss Clarke put 
the question to them. Nannie could hardly 
believe her own eyes, but the next time 
she 'watched fgain, and she distinctly heard, 
as Sophia he; stated, Jane whisper the right 
answer, whicli Sophia repeated without hes- 
itation. 


290 


THE SILVER LINING. 


Nannie’s indignation knew no bounds, and 
after school, as these same scholars were con- 
gratulating themselves upon their success, 
Nannie exclaimed, — 

“ It is no wonder you did not fail. I 
could have been perfect, too, if I had done 
as you did.” 

“ What did I do ? ” asked Jane. 

“ Why,” said Nannie, “ you opened your 
book and read the answer. It was just like 
telling a lie, I should be ashamed to do so. 
Then, too, you told Sophia what to say when 
she had forgotten.” 

“ Ah,” said Jane, “ all the girls do the 
same thing.” 

‘‘Indeed, they do not,” replied Nannie; 
“I never do, nor does Josie Curtis, nor a 
good many other of the scholars.” 

“ Well,” answered Jane, “ in every school 


STILL SHINING, 


291 


I have ever attended, the scholars help each 
other. I think it would he real mean not to 
do so, if you could.’’ 

“ But,” said Nannie, “ it is deceiving the 
teacher.” 

“ Perhaps it is ; hut we are told we must 
help each other, and I am sure that is what 
we did do to-day.” 

“■But,” said Helen Spear, “ no one must 
do evil that good may come. I thinli Nan- 
nie is right.” 

Some of the other scholars in their hearts 
agreed with Helen, but few had the courage 
to say so. Nannie was glad to have Helen’s 
testimony, for she was one of the oldest 
scholars, and the former did not like to be 
alone, even in doing right. She was finding 
out that even school-girls are afraid to come 
to the light, lest their deeds should be re- 


292 


THE SILVER LINING. 


One day, soon after, Miss Clarke re- 
quested that in every recitation all books be 
left in the desks of the pupils. This com- 
mand caused great commotion in the school- 
room, — some of the pupils looking sharply 
at Nannie, thinking she must have informed 
aaiainst them. But as she looked as sur- 
prised as any one did, they concluded they 
were mistaken. Nannie was not surprised 
at the result of the new plan. If Miss 
Clarke were so, none of her scholars were 
any the wiser. 

But in a week or two other means were 
resorted to by those who did not love study. 
Slips of paper were circulated from one to 
another, until Miss Clarke detected them, 
and then no one dared to repeat the ex- 
periment. 

During the winter their teacher adopted 


STILL SHINING. 


293 


a new plan. As some of the seats weie more 
desirable than others, she gave notice that 
once every month the scholar who received 
the highest number of perfect marks, should 
be entitled to the best seat, and so on, — every 
one being seated according to their stand- 
ing. It was not until the last of April that 
Nannie had any hope of ranking first; but 
this month she was one ahead of every 
other scholar. The last day of the month 
she was parsing a. long sentence, and hesi- 
tated in giving a rule. She remembered 
the close of it, but could not by any means 
recall its commencement. Julia Stone whis- 
pered to Nannie only two words, and the 
latter without delay remembered it all, and 
repeated it. So the coveted seat was hers, 
but, alas I it brought no pleasure with it. 

Nannie’s mates could not understand her 


294 


THE SILVER LINING. 


lack of enthusiasm, and rallied her more 
than once for her sober looks. 

“ One would think you had lost the best 
seat instead of gaining it, Nannie,” said 
Sophia ; “ what is the matter ? ” 

But Nannie did not explain, only looked, 
if anything, more sober ; and Kate Dennis 
who for the first time sat next to Nannie, 
and who had been wishin^^ that she mi^ht 
know the latter better, concluded that she 
was a very uninteresting girl. 

Things went on so for a week, and then 
one morning, all the scholars were much 
surprised as they entered the school-room 
to find Nannie’s and Kate’s places reversed, 
— the latter occupying the pleasant seat by 
the window, and Nannie in the one below. 

Still more were they surprised, when Miss 
Clarke, as she rang the bell for the school 
exercises to commence, said, — , 


STILL SHINING. 


295 


“ Nannie Preston wishes me to say for her 
that she has no right to the seat she has been 
occupying the past week. She should have 
failed in her parsing le§son, had not some 
one told her the rule. The seat has given 
her no pleasure since she has had it, and al- 
though Kate Dennis was very reluctant to 
take it, she consented finally, to satisfy Nan- 
nie.” 

So the mystery was solved, and every 
pupil had a higher opinion of Nannie than 
before, though some of them made fun of 
her for being so particular. Kate Dennis, 
before the day was out, found she had been 
mistaken twice, and that Nannie was, after 
all, well worth knowing. 

Nannie’s school closed in July, — nearly a 
month before Philip’s did. But she was glad 
of all the time to sew, for Mr. Allen had in- 


296 


THE SILVER LINING. 


vited her to go with Sophia and himself tc» 
Maplewood, when the examination-day 
should come. It was to he a surprise to 
Philip ; he only knew of Mr. Allen’s ex- 
pected presence; and Nannie worked early 
and late to finish a pretty checked silk her 
father had given her for the occasion. 

The train, on which Mr. Allen was ex- 
pected to arrive at Maplewood, was delayed 
later than usual, so that the exercises had 
commenced when they came into the village. 
There was no time to make any change in 
their dress; a little washing and brushing 
was all Mr. Allen permitted, ere he hurried 
his charge to the seminary. Everything was 
in a whirl to Nannie; she only knew that she 
was following Mr. Allen through long en- 
tries and up flights of stairs that almost took 
away her breath. Then he found a seat for 


STILL SHINING. 


297 


her near the platform, and after a few mo- 
ments she looked around. She could not see 
Philip anywhere, till at last, hearing a famil- 
iar voice, she looked up and found that he 
was welcoming the audience in a short Latin 
salutation. She w«s somewhat of a Latin 
scholar herself, and she was pleased to find 
that she could understand so much of what 
he said. Before Philip had completed his 
address, she was sure that he had recognized 
her. 

Then she saw Carl and had a pleasant 
how from him ; and sometime after Mr. Lor- 
ing made his way toward her. At recess 
Philip and Carl came also, and in a few min- 
utes more, Mrs. Peed and Ida. Sophia also 
chaniied her seat for one near Nannie, and 
when the recitations commenced again, and 
the young men returned to their places, Ida 


293 


THE SILVER LINING. 


remained near her new friends. They all 
felt well acquainted with each other, al- 
though Ida had never seen either of them 
before. 

In the evening there was a pleasant com- 
pany of young people i#Mrs. Reed’s parlors, 
old scholars and new, with their numerous 
friends- And then Nannie and Sophia were 
glad that the silk dresses had not been worn 
earlier in the day, for they found them to he 
just what they desired for the festive occa- 
sion. Philip felt very proud of his friends. 
Mr. Allen was one in whom all would rec- 
ognize the true gentleman ; Sophia would be 
attractive anywhere ; while Nannie, without 
either beauty or grace to recommend her, still 
had that indescribable something in her 
counte nance and manner, that made all who 
saw htr vish to make her acquaintance. 


STILL SHINING. 


299 


Mr. Allen was persuaded by Mrs. Reed 
to remain a few days at her house after most 
of the scholars had left it. During that 
time Nannie and Sophia visited many of the 
places of interest they had heard Philip de- 
scribe so often ; and when they parted with 
Ida, she promised to visit them the next 
summer. 

Then for a week or more Mr. Allen gave 
his party great pleasure, Philip being with 
them, and the last day or two, Carl with 
his Uncle George. They saw everything in 
and around Boston that could interest them, 
and returned to Greenville near the first of 
September, with a great deal* to tell those 
who had been less fortunate than themselves. 


CHAPTER XVL 


CONCLUSION. 

“ All scenes alike engaging prove 
To souls impressed with sacred love! 

Where’er they dwell, they dwell with Thee, 

In heaven, on earth, or on the sea.” 

Madam Guyon. 

B FEW weeks passed by very happily 

to all parties, and then Philip began . 

to be uneasy. His father had so 

■much work, that his son could be of great 
assistance to him; but Philip felt as if he 
were capable of greater things. So others 
had thought; for early in October he re- 
ceived a letter from a friend of Mr. Allen’s, 
who had frequently met Philip. 

(300) 


CONCLUSION. 


301 


The gentleman was a machinist, doing a 
large business, and employing a great number 
of workmen. He had seen, occasionally, 
some proof of Philip’s mechanical genius ; and 
besides, had taken a great fancy to the young 
man for his own sake. So, after consulting 
with Mr. Allen,^and learning from him how 
gratified Philip would be should he offer him 
employment, Mr. Spring made him the pro- 
posal. Philip was not at home when the 
letter came ; but Nannie was, and, as soon as 
her brother returned, she handed it to him. 
He was too much delighted with its contents 
not to show his joy in his face ; but as he 
looked up, he saw Nannie. A thought of 
her sorrow at his leaving home to accept the 
invitation made him for a moment hesitate 
to read it aloud. 

It was only for a moment ; for Mr. Preston, 
who was in the room, asked, — 


302 


THE SILVER LINING. 


“ From whom is your letter, Pliilip ? and 
what makes you look so smiling ? ’’ 

So Philip read the letter to his parents and 
sister. It was as unexpected, as it was flat- 
tering ; and all fully appreciated the compli- 
ment it conveyed to Philip. But while the 
older members of the little family accepted its 
conditions as a thing of course, Nannie con- 
sidered the honor dearly bought, if Philip’s 
absence from home would be required. 

There was little time, however, for regret ; 
the invitation must be accepted or declined 
at once ; sind a letter was sent the next day 
to Mr. Spring, containing Philip’s joyful ac- 
ceptance of hjs kind offer. Hardly a week 
was allowed to his mother and sister to make 
the needed preparations for the son and 
brother ; so Nannie remained at home from 
school, that her nimble Angers might sew, 


CONCLUSION. 


303 


knit, or mend, as there was necessity for 
doing. 

Sophia came one day to help, and Nannie 
was very glad to see her ; for two are almost 
always better than one, and there were yet 
many stitches to be taken. The two friends 
had more time for conversation than they 
had enjoyed for a long while ; there had been 
so much coming and going, since Philip left 
school, that Sophia and Nannie had not often 
been by themselves. Now Philip was obliged 
to be away all the forenoon, and Mrs. Pres- 
ton was busy downstairs. 

So various matters were freely discussed, 
and then Nannie had many questions to ask 
in relation to their school, lessons, and mates. 
Sophia answered them all, and then said, — 

“ O Nannie ! I have made a good resolu- 
tion, and I want you to help me to keep it.’^ 
T will do all I can, Sophia. What is it ? ” 


304 


THE SILVER LINING. 


That I will try all this year to please 
grandpa, by being as good a scholar as I can. 
I know he was disappointed last year, for 
he as much as said so ; and I think, as he 
does so much for me all the time, that I ought 
to please him. Do not you ? ” Sophia added, 
as she found Nannie did not answer immedi- 
ately. 

“ Indeed, I do,” replied Nannie ; “ but I 
was wishing you would do it from a higher 
motive.” 

“ What can be higher, Nannie ? Who has 
ever done so much for me as grandpa? I 
never knew, until the other day, my mother’s 
history. She told it to me, for she said 
she thought I was old enough to know it. I 
have loved grandpa better ever since ; for 
mamma said he had a great deal to forgive 
in her.” 


CONCLUSION. 


305 


“You cannot love your grandfather too 
well, Sophia; but I want you to love our 
heavenly Father better. For he, you know, 
gives us every blessing we enjoy ; and all he 
asks of us, in return, is that we should give 
him our hearts.” 

Sophia looked thoughtful for a few minutes, 
and then said, — “ Yes, my mother told me 
it was her daily prayer that I might not wait 
until some bitter trial came to me before I 
loved God. For that was the way she did ; 
but — I do not know as it is right for me to 
say so — but I do not want to be a Christian 
yet ; I shall have tO give up so much.” 

“You would gain a great deal more, So- 
phia, than you could ever lose.” 

“It does not seem so to me, Nannie ; but 
you know you are different from me.” 

Yes, Nannie knew it. Sometimes the dif- 


20 


306 


THE SILVER LINING. 


ference had been considered bj her as a sore 
affliction, and then, again, she had praised 
God for it as a great blessing.” She was 
very much attached to Sophia; now they 
were warm friends ; each had strong faults ; 
but, while Sophia acknowledged hers, and 
often sighed over the unhappiness they 
brought upon her, Nannie grieved for hers, 
as sins committed against her God and Sa- 
viour. She would never give up her Chris- 
tian hope ; it was the greatest comfort of her 
life, and she ardently desired for her friend 
the same precious gift. 

The Monday after Philip’s departure, 
Nannie commenced attending school again, 
and she was gratified to see that Sophia was 
trying to keep her . resolution ; only Nannie 
could see, so often, that human strength is at 
best, but perfect weakness. However, So- 


CONCLUSION. 


307 


phia would never see it, unless the Holy 
Spirit should touch her eyes; so Nannie 
sought by her example, as well as counsel, to 
direct the gaze of her friend to Him who 
alone could help her. 

About this time Nannie received a long 
letter from Ida Reed, in answer to one Nan- 
nie had written to her, soon after the 
former’s return from her journey. These 
letters were but the beginning of a very 
pleasant correspondence continued for several 
years, with no interruptions but those result- 
ing from occasional visits, either to the house 
of one or the other. 

The summer after Nannie’s going to Ma- 
plewood, Ida visited in Greenville, as she had 
promised to do. She spent one week at the 
Mansion House with Sophia, and one at 
Nannie’s. Philip was at home the second 


308 


THE SILVER LINING. 


week, and a rare time the three had together. 
Mrs. Preston had heard much of Ida from 
hTannie, who had not ceased to talk of her 
pleasant face and agreeable manners. Nor 
was her mother disappointed, although she 
had expected a great deal. Without pos- 
sessing the regular beauty of Sophia, Ida had 
enough to render her very attractive. She 
possessed, also, what Sophia lacked, — the 
pearl of great price ; so that there was more 
sympathy between Ida and Nannie than 
there could ever be between the latter and 
Sophia. 

While Ida was at Mrs. Preston’s, Nannie’s 
seventeenth birthday occurred. Carl Lin- 
coln came to spend it with them, and, by 
Mr. Allen’s invitation, all the members of 
the two families went to Nahant to spend 
the day. They went to Boston in an early 


CONCLUSION. 


309 


morning train, and returned late at njglit. 
To most of the party the scene was entirely 
a new one. Nannie had thought that noth- 
ing could he more lovely and enchanting 
than the green fields and thick woods around 
her home ; but when she came to look uj3on 
the high rocks and sparkling waves, and 
heard the roar of the ocean, she felt that she 
had turned over a new page in Nature’s 
book. Indeed, all the young people realized 
how much beauty there is in this charming 
world in which we live. 

So the years went by ; every one brought 
with it some new experience of life. Witli 
every joy there were some dark shadows ; 
enough to teach them all that “ Here have 
we no continuing city.” Still the silvery 
lining was always bright in Nannie’s heart ; 
for faith in God had woven it there, which 
neither moth nor riist can ever corrupt. 


310 


THE SILVER LINING. 


When Philip was twenty-four, Mr. Spring 
took him into partnership with him. The 
young man had realized all the expectations 
which the older one had formed concerning 
him. Perhaps Philip’s early dreams of being 
rich and famous had not all been fulfilled ; 
but he had learned, in later life, that there 
were other hopes more precious to him than 
fame or money. And when, soon after the 
new firm was formed, in which his name ap- 
peared, he came to Greenville with his bride, 
and Nannie welcomed her new sister, Ida, 
to her heart and home, she knew, from her 
brother’s every look and word, that he was 
fully satisfied. If to Nannie sometimes came • 
regrets that another than herself was the con- 
fidant of his joys and sorrows, she rejoiced 
also that Ida was no stranger to her, but 
one she so dearly loved, long before she had 
ever thought of her being her brother’s wife. 


CONCLUSION. 


311 


Other changes followed. Sophia Allen 
w^ent away in the winter, to Boston, to make 
Carl Lincoln’s home the happiest place on 
earth to him. She married him with the 
full consent and approval of her mother and 
grandfather. Their only regret was that 
the young people were looking alone to this 
world for happiness, forgetting that the 
divine command is, — 

“ But seek ye first the kingdom of God and 
his righteousness ; and all these things shall 
be added unto you.” 

Josie Curtis and Nannie still remained in 
Greenville. Playmates from infancy, they 
were, in riper years, warmly attached to 
each other. Josie was one of a large family, 
and her yonnger brothers and sisters, bereft 
in early years of a loving mother’s care, 
depended 'upon the sirter still more. If great 


312 


THE SILVER LINING. 


sacrifices were required of her in the faithful 
performance of her many duties, she found, 
also, after many days, great reward. 

No one had quite so varied an experience 
as Nannie. Previously to Philip’s marriage, 
she had, for two years, been teaching a few 
little girls. They were only twelve in num- 
ber ; but she found her hands were more than 
full with the care of these. She loved them 
every one ; and the children, as well as their 
parents, thought there could be no one in 
the world quite equal to their dear Miss 
Preston. 

Mr. Allen fully agreed with the children. 
He was now, what Nannie had called him 
so many years ago, “ an old gentleman ; ” 
being nearly threescore years and ten. He 
was also in feeble health, — failing gradually 
but surely, — and, as the silver -cord was 


CONCLUSION. 


313 


being loosed and the golden bowl broken, 
his affection for Nannie grew stronger ; or, 
if that were hardly possible, after Sophia 
went away, he depended more and more 
upon Nannie. His daughter, Mrs. Willis, 
was untiring in her devotion to him, and 
her father fully appreciated her services. 
At the same time, it was to Nannie he 
looked when he wished the words of the 
Great Teacher read or repeated to him ; for 
she it was who, under God, had led him 
to see that they were written for his com- 
fort. 

Hardly a day passed but what she found 
time to make him a call. Occasionally it 
was only for a moment’s glance or word ; 
but more often she spent an hour with him, 
reading or singing or talking to him, ai he 
might prefer. She often wondered at the 


314 


THE SILVER LINING. 


many opportunities of usefulness that were 
opening before her on every hand ; and she 
could say from experience that, where there 
is a desire to make others happier, the way 
is always opened. 

But, with all her other cares and interests, 
Nannie’s home was never forgotten. Her 
pleasant room was still the retreat she sought, 
when, weary with other people’s burdens or 
her own, she needed rest and quiet. Some 
new objects of attraction were in it now, — 
gifts of dear friends or purchased with her 
own spending money. None of them, per- 
haps, were more prized by her than the little 
vase given so many years ago by Sophia 
Willis, and the sweet picture of “ The 
Motherless.” 

To her parents, also, Nannie was a most 
precious child, not because they thought her 


CONCLUSION. 


315 


perfect, but that in her they saw the fulfil- 
ment of the promise, — 

“ Train up a child in the way he should 
go ; and when he is old, he will not depart 



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